“Insignificant” – Not in God’s Vocabulary

Quote:   “There is no one who is insignificant in the purpose of God.” – Alistair Begg

Scripture:  “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”

Some Thoughts:  I remember growing up, and all the Christmas pageants. Every girl wanted to play the role of Mary. The boys all wanted to be one of the three kings, maybe a shepherd. (It was “tolerable” to be one of the animals, preferably a cute little lamb.)

I think the role of the innkeeper was the last one to be handed out. No one wanted to be the innkeeper. In my recollection, he was portrayed as a mean, bearded guy who came running out of his house with a stick, yelling he had no rooms left. (I think maybe my brother was given that part a couple of times.  smile.) But thinking about the innkeeper and trying to put myself in his place, he did give them a place to stay. It just didn’t look like we think it should have. But it was the place God had chosen all along. The innkeeper, in a sense, gave all that he had at that time. God spoke to my heart about this. So many times, I think that what I have to offer is not the way it should look. Not worthy. Not up to par. So “cheap”.  But God asks for it because He has a greater purpose than the outward appearance of things. I also have been reminded in my reading this week of the woman who was dragged to the middle of the circle where Jesus was teaching, head bowed to the ground, expecting to be stoned to death because she had been caught in adultery. Jesus didn’t tell her to repent, repeat the sinner’s prayer after Him, and go clean up, and then she would be accepted. Look at the order in His words: He said: “I don’t condemn you. Go and sin no more.” (John 8:11) Is it possible we “condemn” people (in our hearts) until they’ve accepted the Lord and cleaned up their act? We read in John 3:17: “For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.”

We live in a world where much “condemnation” is all around us. We need to remember that none of us are in a position to cast the first stone. In the case with the woman caught in adultery, Jesus was the only sinless one who was in a position to “condemn”, and He chose not to. When He asks to enter my heart and to dwell with me, He doesn’t condemn me for the clutter or the furniture that I didn’t dust this past week. He just asks to come in, abide with me. He will help me declutter and get rid of what needs to go – but it’s always from a position of love and acceptance, not condemnation. I am loved with the same love that He gives to the shepherds, the innkeeper, and donkey. (Well, the donkey may be a “stretch”, sorry.) Because He doesn’t condemn me (and I deserve it!), I choose to not condemn others, but love from a place of “acceptance”. I can trust He will convict where conviction is needed; He doesn’t need my help.

There is a quote by Max Lucado that I really appreciate: “God loves you just the way you are, but He refuses to leave you that way. He wants you to be just like Jesus.” He asks if we have room and He asks from a place of acceptance, not condemnation. Sing joyfully with me: “O come to my heart, Lord Jesus! There is room in my heart for Thee!”

Prayer:  O Jesus, it is so precious to know that You welcome me with open arms from a place of love and acceptance. I walk in a world where sometimes stones are thrown…some miss, but some hit the mark and cause hurt and bruises.  Sometimes I begin to believe the lies that I am

unworthy to come into Your presence. But when I lift my head from my place of cowering, with face to the ground, trembling, expecting the worse, I look into Your eyes of love, compassion, forgiveness, acceptance. I see Your nail-printed hands extended to me, saying, “Come to Me.” You ask, “Where are Your accusers?” and then You answer, “I do not condemn you. I love you. Go and sin no more. Stay in my Presence. Operate from a position of acceptance. Love others as I love you.” I answer from the bottom of my heart, “Yes, Lord.”

Page Views 88