Remember the Shepherds

Ever feel insignificant? Unimportant? Imperfect? Forgettable?
Yeah. Me too.
I've shared my thoughts with you and with my friend Diane about feeling insignificant or lacking a clear calling. Basically, forgettable.

This past Sunday I was reminded of how much God uses the forgettable. The non-important, non-flashy members of society. The no names.The insignificant.

God chose to send the angels to the shepherds to tell about the great and awesome Savior's birth. He didn't need to go to the king or the leaders. He didn't go to Ceasar Augustus or Quirinius, even though everyone knew them and they would be able to spread the word. God chose the lowly nightwatchmen of sheep. The poor and humble shepherds. They were the ones whom the angel spoke to. They were the first to hear the news. They were the ones most used by God.

And Mary and Joseph were nothing to write home about either. They didn't live in a palace. Joseph was a carpenter. He didn't have riches to boast about. And Jesus grew up doing the work that God planned for him, living a humble life, never needing riches or servants or the fine things that the leaders and important people of the day thought made you who you were.

And then there's Bethlehem. A small village essentially. There was no room for them, but as you consider the size of Bethlehem, that's probably because it was a "one horse town" that didn't have places a visitors bureau, because unless you were from there, you really had no reason to go there. An insignificant village. It wouldn't be on the maps if it weren't for the fact that Jesus Christ, Savior of the world was born there.

So as you ponder your life and feel forgettable and brush off the thought of God using you for His kingdom's work, remember the shepherds. Remember the stable. Remember Mary and Joseph. And remember that YOU are loved by God and YOU are worth the saving.

Luke 2:8-15 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
 “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”