The Most Important JourneySample

Day 5

by Brianna McLeod

Director of SEU Seacoast Campus

Look in Bethlehem

But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me, one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days. ~ Micah 5:2 (ESV)

I love rooting for the underdog. The team least expected to win takes home the victory in the final minutes of the game. The quiet, awkward kid becomes the superhero, gaining the powers and saving the day. We see it in the movies. We read it in the books. And it’s in the Bible too. Countless examples of God calling the people deemed least qualified by those around them to rise up and do mighty things in his name and for his Kingdom. Some of my favorite leaders and heroes of the faith in Scripture are the men and women who—when chosen by God—probably said, “Me? But I don’t know how to __,” or “I’m not good at _____.”

God uses unlikely people, but did you know that he also uses unlikely places? The town of Bethlehem was one of them. Micah 5:2 tells us that it was too little to be among the clans of Judah. It wasn’t a booming metropolis, overflowing with money, celebrities, and exciting things to do. It was small, quiet, and perhaps a little unnoticed. That’s where Jesus is born, just as Micah prophesied. A king and savior would enter the world in the unlikeliest of places so that God’s glory would be magnified. So that we might boast in the Lord and his great power.

God is faithful, and he is still in the business of fulfilling his promises to us. One thing I’ve learned is that he will sometimes do it in ways and through people we might not expect. When he does, there is no denying that it’s him—no way we can credit people and circumstances around us.

This season, choose with enthusiasm and great anticipation to look for God in the most surprising places and in ways only he can get the credit so that we will know, beyond any doubt, that it’s him. Look in Bethlehem.

Reflect: What has God done in your life in a way, and through someone, you totally didn’t expect?