25 Days of Advent - Dec 7
Micah 5:2-3 – 2But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days. 3Therefore he shall give them up until the time when she who is in labor has given birth; then the rest of his brothers shall return to the people of Israel.
Today, I want us to remember the humility that Jesus exemplified when he came to earth. Bethlehem was just a small little town. There wasn’t even a place for Mary and Joseph to stay overnight. Labor and delivery took place among the animals.
God the Father did not view Bethlehem as a town not useful. Through the hand of God, Bethlehem’s identity was changed forever.
Jesus Christ changes our identity. He takes what we think might be too little and turns it into something powerful and influential.
I want to encourage you today - YOU ARE USEFUL. You are a treasure. You are a masterpiece. It does not matter how small other people think you are. When God changes your identity, you can be influential. If you're struggling today, allow Jesus to restore the identity he gave you as a child of God.
Embrace who Jesus sees when He looks at you. You are not too small to make a difference. Your history is not evil enough that you cannot be influential. Your legacy has not yet been determined. The humility that Jesus develops inside each of us allows us to embrace who Jesus created to become.
One night, in the small town of Bethlehem, the world was changed forever. We have a role in a continual change that points other people to the cross of Jesus Christ.