One of my favorite pastimes is shell hunting. If you come to my house, you will be greeted by seashells not long after you cross the threshold. Folks who visit my home will also see some of these treasures in baskets, urns and some of my most beloved shells sitting majestically alone on the shelves surrounding my fireplace. These sea blessings are the testimony of time spent combing beaches and lakefronts from the Great Lakes all the way to the Pacific Ocean shores off the coast of Peru. Beach-combing is best performed when clocks are out of sight and time is measured by sunlight. However, one of the liabilities of shell hunting is to hold on to a mentality that “bigger is better.” While I have some great big shells that are a prideful delight, some of the most beautiful shells that host the most distinct color and design by the Creator are small. These tiny treasures were discovered when I took my time and fingered my way through pebble rock and sand. I kept my eyes fixed on what was before me, as opposed to looking for promising big shells, that once uncovered, revealed, broken jagged edges and plain colors. I learned that suffering from what I call hurry-sickness while beach-combing, led me to often overlook significant objects of beauty.
A bigger is better perspective in life can hinder me in other ways beside impacting my shell hunting. This mindset can cause me to overlook intended blessings and dismiss God’s ability to use seemingly small things in my life to reveal His wondrous work and ways. Though God is worthy of honor in all ways, it is such a revelation of His power when God takes the overlooked, the dismissed potential and accomplishes a great victory. It is a testimony for us of His glory and it is for our good. Even though something or someone may appear to be insignificant in a moment, that can be the very time when God has ordained greatness to manifest right before our eyes.
When Israel was waiting for the prophet Samuel to anoint a new king, Samuel made a visit to the house of Jesse at the Lord’s direction. As he looked over the sons of Jesse, obviously for a host of reasons,Samuel started with the oldest and probably the biggest son. It is important to remember that Israel at this point, already had a bigger and better king named Saul. Saul was known to be handsome and statuesque. He looked like a king but Saul did not please the Lord. During Samuel’s visit, God rejected every son, leaving Samuel confused. When Samuel asked if there were anymore sons, Jesse admitted David, the youngest, was out back tending sheep.The young smallest in stature lad was brought in and Surprise! God confirmed to Samuel, “This is the one I want you to anoint as king!” So much for a bigger is better idea.
This would continue to be a pattern in David’s life. Though David had been anointed as king, it was a promise developing in the womb of time. He was still the youngest and still was carrying out household duties assigned to the guy at the bottom of the family totem pole. This was never more clear on the day young David was sent to deliver supplies to his brothers. They were a part of the Israelite army camped out in the valley of Alah. When David arrived, he discovered the army cowering in tents as Goliath, the giant, and his men were taunting the band of Israelites. David took offense at Goliath’s disregard for the men, but more than that, took to heart the mocking of God’s power and reputation. David declared he would fight the giant, but was dismissed by his older brother who ridiculed him for his age and inexperience. He used the “Go back Home kid, where you belong” to undermine David’s courage.
Furthermore, Saul placed the size of extralarge armor on David’s size small body. It was so heavy, David couldn’t maneuver in it. Once again, bigger wasn’t better. But God was with David and revealed His power to use a small dismissed boy, a few stones and a slingshot to accomplish His purpose. When the giant received the fatal blow ending his life and the siege the Philistines had over the Israeli army, it reminded the witnesses that God chooses whom He uses, when He chooses. God’s criteria for usefulness aren’t based on age, experience, size or anything we as humans deem necessary to be successful.
All of us at one time or another have been overlooked. Maybe you were a singer that auditioned for a solo and though it was good, someone else was selected. There are countless second string teams in sports that are sitting on the bench and can testify. Some of us while we are most importantly beautiful on the inside weren’t born with faces that will launch a thousand ships and we won’t be standing on the homecoming court or featured in a commercial or magazine. Maybe we feel called to the ministry, but for whatever reason your church has pursued a different direction. You have been told we can’t use you right now, but we will pray about it. The marketplace often overlooks the hard worker who has patiently waited for advancement. Maybe romance has eluded you, and you haven’t found a mate, or maybe you found one and you lost them to someone younger or more exciting. Whatever our overlooked story is, we all have one. We have all been passed by or passed over at some point. I laugh and say the one thing I am really good at is being average. But the good news is that Jesus doesn’t overlook us. One of my favorite hymns is Pass Me, not Oh Gentle Savior, and He doesn’t! He stops and sees me as I really am. Not as the world or the marketplace sees, but through eyes of love, grace and acceptance.
The scriptures state in 2 Chronicles 16:9. “For the eyes of the Lord search the whole earth in order to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Him…(NLT). This reminds me God is a discerning hunter. It is a testimony for us of His glory and it is for our good. God sees all of the unique potential and colorful treasure of talent He has placed within me. Only He knows what he can accomplish in a sometimes inexperienced heart that is totally yielded to Him. As I reflect on this today, I realize bigger can be better. God’s plans are bigger, His power is bigger. God’s ideas are better as is, his infallible timing. My life can be so much bigger and better for Him and the world around me, if I remain fully committed to Him. Because God loves us so much, if God had a fireplace with shelves around it, we would be front and center. Proudly displayed and gazed at continuously with affection. We are His treasure
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