Let's Take A Trip To Bethlehem

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. 

Micah 5:2

The village of Bethlehem lies nestled among the Judean hills. The traditional tomb of Jacob’s beloved wife, Rachel, resides there. It is the setting for most of the book of Ruth. She gleaned fields outside the town and returned to Naomi in Bethlehem. Her great grandson, King David, was born there. It is often called The City of David.

Other than those historical facts, Bethlehem seemed like an insignificant city. Then one night a baby was born in a lowly cave because there was no room for Him in town. He slept in a manger, but one day He would give His life for the sins of the whole world. The King of Kings, Lord of Lords and Son of God was born in the tiny village of Bethlehem.

Now we sing O Little Town of Bethlehem and picture the sleepy village with fond visions of the birth of Christ. No longer insignificant, Bethlehem is known throughout the world as the birthplace of the Messiah. It is the scene for the Christmas story re-creation year after year.

God chose this tiny village as the birthplace for His Son. He also chooses seemingly insignificant people to carry out His plans on earth. Don’t think that you are unimportant in God’s plans. Listen to the Psalmist describe man.

You created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place.  When I was woven together in the depths of the earth Your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be (Psalm 139:13-16).

We were created by God and for His service. He looks at each of us and sees our full potential even when we are blind to it. He chose a special service for us before we were born.

 He uses the highly intelligent and the average. He uses men and women. He uses children and senior citizens. He uses the introvert and the extrovert. He uses the handsome and the plain. He uses the PhD’s and the uneducated. God has tasks for all of us.

Our responsibility is to be available.  God may call you to help in the clothes closet or teach a Sunday school class. He may want you to counsel widows or divorced women. You may be the one He wants to count the offering on Monday morning. There are myriads of opportunities to be in His service.

Listen to Him. Stay close to God through prayer. He will call you. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work (1 Corinthians 12:5,6).

Dear Father, Help each of us realize that we are special in Your sight. Make us available for Your service.

Janice Yandell