SMALL? NOT IN GOD’S EYES.

Sunday: 23rd December, 2018

Reference text: Micah 5:1-4

Micah 5:2 But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.”

While deliberating on a new movie with my younger brother, even without personally watching it, there was a consensus that it was ‘probably average’. This conclusion was based solely on word of mouth and the ratings accorded this movie by critics. Hence, although the movies is rated 7.8 out of 10, significantly above average, we maintained our own personal opinions because it wasn’t likely to squeeze into the top 10 movies of the year.

Why the focus on ratings and rankings? It is because they seem to be the marking scheme now for recommendation. Once an event, activity, person or item is not popular enough to squeeze its way up through the charts, very little regard is given to it. That was the story of Bethlehem Ephrathah: its small size did not give it a high standing among the clans of Judah and by virtue of that fact alone, they had been written off. However, it is to them that God brought news of a ruler emerging out of them.

Over and over again, we fall into the trap people set using their standards: expectations which we may never grow up to meet. Consequently, we end up swallowing their inaccurate descriptions of us, making us believe that we can amount to nothing more. Beloved, if all we could become: our potential for expansion and growth was determined solely by the magnitude of our assets, our giftings and people’s opinion of us, then those who can say they ‘have achieved’, will number a few.

The thinking of man and that of God, sometimes differ because the view point available to each is different. While God sees a picture of the whole landscape from above, man only sees as far as possible, from where he stands. Therefore, do not let your small stature in physique, as a new entrepreneur or a novice put you off. God was not focused on the size of the clan because in his eyes, small does not mean incapable or unsuitable. As long as there is an agreement with his plans and purpose, he will draw you in, size and stature have no say.

#sly