The Nashville area is pretty cool, I have to admit. A melting pot of creativity and difference makers at nearly every turn. Everyone knows someone who knows someone – perhaps unknowingly sitting next to someone who has two dozen published books, produces music for all the big names, or started some big conference or group that is changing the world.
What a place to be, surrounded by people whose mere presence can drive you to be better at doing life.
At the same time it becomes easy to idolize these musicians or Christian celebrities. and make it feel as though whatever little thing I may be involved in isn’t big enough, making enough money, or affecting enough lives. It brings an ever growing thought of “If only I….” or “God you must have something else because I think I should be there and I’m not!”
In an early morning mens Bible study I’ve begun attending we were discussing Gideon and his future calling as a judge for Israel. Gideon was a scared man, hiding in a winepress doing nothing more than crushing wheat. The Lord visited him and called him a mighty warrior and Gideon’s first response was a surprised question, “Who me? No way look at me, I’m nothing and come from nothing.” The story continues with Gideon full of doubt at every turn and consistently asking God for confirmation.
What is not talked about is what Gideon’s was thinking or feeling before the Angel of the Lord visited him. I found my self wondering if Gideon was thinking, “Man if I could just be like one of the Judges of old”, “I know there has to be something different for me to do”, “Look at all the scrolls that he has written, why am I just crushing wheat every day.” Instead Gideon was, and he stated such, that he was ‘itty bitty’. Inconsequential in his opinion.
And that was ok.
Gideon’s objective and main focus was not on doing something great; it was on doing what needed to be done then and there in fear of the Midianites. And that was ok. God came and tasked him with something he was not searching for.
In my time here, I need to remember that it is ok to be ‘itty bitty’. I may not be some big author, help people be free from debt, record popular records, host podcasts, start massive conferences, or go on speaking tours. Or maybe I will. But what I do know is that by being faithful when and where God has me and my family is the most important aspect and God will bring great things when I am least expecting.
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