“A life is a life, no matter how small”
I know this is a misquote from “Horton hears a who” by Dr Suess and it should read “a person” but this is what was in my thoughts the other day. We sometimes think of our lives as so small that we can’t make a difference and this is not true.
When I was about 13 years old I was seen talking in science class. The teacher made me stand up and proceeded to explain how vast the universe is and what an insignificant speck I was. She wanted to humiliate me and maintain discipline, but her words were pointless. I already knew that I was no one special. I had been reminded of this many times. I was an average student, the middle child of three and a girl too! My future seemed dull and my life pointless.
Now I have a different opinion. I know I am unique, fashioned by the hand of God, born by His will and all my days are written in His book. Sometimes I still feel very small and my life appears to have little impact. Then I remember Gideon…
Gideon was chosen by God to deliver Israel from their enemies. An angel appeared to him, addressing him as “mighty warrior” despite the fact that he was hiding in a vat threshing wheat. (Judges 6:12)
Gideon responded politely, but had his list of complaints ready. He probably grumbled regularly with his friends and echoed their views.
“if the Lord is with us, why has all this happened to us?
… the Lord has abandoned us..” v13-14
When we are in a situation like this the first thing that comes out of our mouth is very telling. The angel touched a nerve and it all spilled out. When the disciple Peter heard Jesus say He must suffer and die, his response was to rebuke Him saying “never!” (Matt16:21-22)
It never occurred to Gideon that he could make a difference, he had a victim mentality and God was about to make him a victor.
“The Lord turned to him and said, “Go in the strength you have and save Israel out of Midian’s hand. Am I not sending you?”
This was not what Gideon expected to hear. Maybe no one had ever challenged his attitudes before. He had resigned himself to the situation and proceeded to give a list of excuses.
“My clan is the weakest in Manasseh, am I am the least in my family” v15
The Lord reassured Gideon and worked with him patiently until he brought him to the place of being a “mighty warrior”. He took a small step of obedience by destroying Baal’s altar but needed more assurance of God’s presence. He asked for signs and God answered his requests. Finally God told him to go to the enemy’s camp and listen in to a conversation there. He heard a man tell his friend about a dream.
“A round loaf of barley bread came tumbling into the Midianite camp. It struck the tent with such force that the tent overturned and collapsed”
His friend responded “This can be nothing other than the sword of Gideon .. God has given the Midianites and the whole camp into his hands.” Judges 7:13-14
We have the same doubts and fears as Gideon. We take a small step of faith and then remember how small we are. Sometimes God has to gradually reduce our “army” of support so that we trust in Him and not our friends, family, natural abilities or resources. He patiently reassures us of His presence with us and reveals the person He made us to be. Our lives may appear to be small, but our God is great and mighty. With Him we can do anything.
Lord take my small life and use it as You planned before I even existed. Let me see myself as You see me and call myself by the name You have given me.
