I’m jumping the gun this weekend. I will be leaving early this morning (Thursday) to watch a future Hall of Famer play baseball. Okay, so it is my grandson playing T-ball. 🙂 I can dream can’t I? I am posting about my sermon for this Sunday a day earlier because I am not sure about what is going to happen time-wise.
LIFE. IS. A. SERIES. OF. UPS. AND. DOWNS.
We all know that. There are times we feel important and useful and needed. There are other times when our thoughts border on “Hey, what am I? Chicken feed?” or “What am I? Invisible?” I have to admit there have been times I have felt that “out of sight, out of mind” would work really well for some people when it comes to being around me. Even as a father there were times I heard “Dad” one too many times and replied, “There isn’t anyone around here by that name.” 🙂
Tragically, there are those who go through life feeling like a nobody. I’m not talking about the occasional lapse into self-pity; I’m talking about the everyday feeling a person gets from the constant bombardment of life. In Sunday’s message, I will be spending a good deal of time in this Scripture. Most are familiar with the story of how Samuel chose David as King Saul’s successor. We like to go to that verse that says,
But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.”
David was so unimportant to his father that he left him tending the sheep and brought all his other boys in. His use of the word “youngest” did not refer to his chronological age, but it implies he was least in his father’s eyes. Ironically, Samuel’s first pick, Eliab, showed his true colors a little later in David’s story. (Check out these verses and Eliab’s response). Written off by his father. Unknown by Samuel.
BUT… KNOWN BY THE ONE WHO REALLY COUNTED
David found himself chosen by God and anointed by Samuel. No one is a nobody. No one is insignificant in God’s eyes. Don’t allow anyone to tell you any different. Have you ever felt like a nobody? Insignificant? Still, or have you overcome it? How did you? I would love to hear your thoughts.
Thanks to Dan for the banner. Thanks to you for your prayers.
I will be praying for you and your message. As for your question, I felt a bit of it last night. I got home from work after 9:00 p.m. and I was fried. When I pulled into the driveway, I saw that the house was dark and empty. Nobody to greet me at the door and ask about my day, to fuss over me a little bit and let me know I was missed. I felt alone and lost and insignificant in that moment.
That hurts just hearing it Daniel. Easy for those of us who have that to take it for granted. Still praying for you.
How I love David and yes Dan’t banner is awesome! Funny, I spent years trying to look significant and rich…only to be broke and broken. It was here, crying out like David does so many times that God answered my cries where I found true significance and His richness. Blessings…and enjoy that baseball game, that my friend is RICH!
You found the secret Tom. It wasn’t in the significance and rich.
I’m already feeling like today is Friday and now I see this post!
The Bible is full of examples of who God chooses to use: Jacob, Joseph, Ruth, David, a bunch of fishermen, even Paul, etc…
It has been a constant encouragement to me that God uses insignificant people to do amazing things for Him.
Enjoy your Hall of Famer!
Sorry to mess up your day even more DJ. 🙂 It is an encouragement to see God using all sorts of people. i did. 😛
I hope you enjoy the T-ball game with your future hall of fame grandson! I also wish I could be there to hear your sermon Sunday, it sounds like it will be very eye opening.
As for your question, like you, I think we all experience to feeling in life. I have on several instances felt sorry for myself because of one thing or another. Then I remembered something my grandfather told me while I was going through one of those times. When you feel like the whole world is against you, change your attitude and watch how the world changes with it. We sometimes get so wrapped up in ourselves we forget there are others out there much worse off then us.
Walk daily with God at your side!
Ed
Your grandfather had it right Ed. Thanks for sharing that. And I did. Also, you can listen to it on the church’s site.
It’s always the ones who think they’re the most important who aren’t. God has a way of continually surprising us with His truth.
There was a time a thought way too much of myself, probably still do, but I’m a long ways from that fool who believed the sun rose and set in me.
The only great thing about me is Him… I guess most of us could say that.
Praying for your sermon and family.
not only does he have a way of surprising us with the truth, he also has a way of bringing those who feel most important down to earth. Thanks for your prayer Floyd.
I still feel that way a lot. Safe travels.
Join the club Larry. Finally made it back. Little saddle sore.
Hi Bill,
I’m a nobody in some people’s eyes but I’m a somebody in other eyes. We do have a warning in scripture to be wary if the world loves you.
In my thinking the church today is functioning more in the world than it is with God. High profile church leaders are being noticed by the rich and powerful, by the government. They are being lauded and respected by the world. Why is that? Is it becuase these leaders are a part and parcel of the world? And the world loves its own?
Our job as a disciple and follower of Jesus Christ is not about beoming famous, it is about staying faithful to God.
Jesus didn’t say that we will find ourselves in palaces if we follow him , he said some of us will find ourselves in prison.
Hi Bill,
I’ll pray for you and the service on Sunday. I like Dan’s banner. Have fun with your grandson and other family!
It is good to know that although we may be a nobody in some eyes, the ones that count (HIS) we are most important.
Thanks for your prayers. i did have fun.
I think one of the best examples of this is Gideon – the least of the least in his own eyes. But he was used mightily by God.
Good example Loren. It is seen in where he was and what he was doing when “called.”
Growing up in a abusive home, I often felt that way. Thankfully God not only redeemed me, He reddeemed my whole life. I have an awesome home and with seven kids…I never feel alone! 😉
Don’t know what to say to that Jay. I am so glad God got ahold of your life and gave you so much more than you had. You are a blessing.
I apologize that it took me awhile to respond to your comments. I got home about 3:30 or so on Friday afternoon. If you have written a blog, I read it but had so many that I did very little commenting. so thanks for coming by here and being patient.
At times yes. Mostly when I have not spent time in the word or seeking God.
Praying for you and the service.
I think you state what many of us experience Dan: being in or out of the Word plays a big part in our “significance.” Thanks for your prayers.
I was going to comment on the banner the other day…..I really like it. Dan did a great job! Feeling like a nobody….something I have felt most of my life. Feeling abandoned by my dad, being in an abusive marriage for 18 yrs…it’s been very hard to overcome this feeling of worthlessness & that I’m nobody, with God’s grace & the encouragement of my husband, I am getting there. God is definitely working on me….you’d be proud of me, I stepped way out of my comfort zone this week! 🙂 Can’t wait to hear the message in person…yea! 🙂
Yes he did do a great job. You have found a gem of a husband jan. So glad you are realizing who you are and how much you mean to the Father. Looking forward to seeing you guys.
Good post, Bill! I’m sure your sermon touched hearts, just as this has. I needed to be reminded of this today.
Thanks Tammy. I hope it did. i reckon you could ask Jan Frame (who comments on this blog and visited with her husband yesterday). 🙂 Glad God used it as a reminder.
Bill has a way of delivering a message that just touches your heart, at least in my experience, no matter what the subject is. He’s an awesome messenger of God’s word, so, YES, Tammy, it did touch my heart & I’m sure lots of others as well.
You exaggerate way too much Jan. 🙂 I am humbled by your kind words. praying for the Spirit to continue working.
Well, I know my family thinks I exaggerate, maybe I do a little bit, but not in this case. I swear, I have never been bored during one of your messages & I always come away taking something from your message. True.