I read recently about a woman named Dr. Rebecca Lee Crumpler, who was the first African American woman to earn a medical degree. During her lifetime (1831-1895), she was “ignored, slighted, and rendered insignificant.” However, she remained faithful to her calling and spent her life serving God by treating women and children and providing medical attention for freed slaves. It wasn’t until almost a century later she received her recognition.
Overlooked, devalued, and underappreciated. Sound like Someone you know? Born in an obscure, podunk village, the child of a peasant woman sums up the birth and early existence of Jesus. He flew under the radar of Herod (and would have been missed entirely if not for the wise men), the palace, and the religious “know-it-alls” who refused to acknowledge His birth…or His life for that matter.
Just like the example of Dr. Crumpler, Jesus never wavered from His reason for coming. He never wavered from “I came to seek and to save the lost.” He never wavered from freeing slaves (me and you) from an empty life.
In many ways, and to many people, His life was one of being overlooked, undervalued, and underappreciated. That is the way it started-as a baby in a manger-but may it not end that way because I was negligent.
He is not an obscure, forgotten child: He is the reigning King of kings who will soon return and will prove then and there He should not have been overlooked, undervalued, or underappreciated.
The Bible specifically, and history in general, is chock full of “underdogs”, the under-valued, the overlooked, and the underappreciated that have gone on to make incomparable differences to society and life as we know it. Jesus being the winner by more than what can be measured. No one individual has had more influence and impact than He. From a womb of a young woman, raised as a carpenter’s child, and who died before most of us even begin having an impact in life… Jesus changed the world and continues to change the world one life at a time. Some may discount His worth, some may say He never existed at all, but looking at the evidence, it is not hard to see. I can only begin to read and imagine the impact He will have on His return.
Very well said Ryan. You make my point so much stronger with your words. I, too, can only begin to imagine the impact he will have when He returns.
To echo Ryan’s words, God does use the lowly and underestimated among us to do great works and reveal eternal truths. Let us bow in humility before His greatness!
Blessings, Bill!
As mentioned, I too agree with Ryan. I do also agree with your thought about bowing in humility.
Keep the focus on Jesus, and praise Him for humbling himself to save us. It amazes me how the greatest love story started out with such humble conditions, and how God used ordinary people to be a part of an extraordinary story. The impact that Jesus had on the people that opened their heart to Him was a gift that cannot be topped.Every single life was important to Jesus. Its sad that some people never saw the gift He wanted everyone to share with them. When He returns, all eyes will be opened.
It is sad Gail. My heart breaks for those who turn away or don’t listen. But some day…