Chosen by God

"I am the good Shepherd. The good Shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. My sheep listen to my voice; I know them and they follow me. I give them eternal life and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand." John 10: 11, 27, 28

    What makes a person important? By the world's standards, a person makes the A-list if they earn mountains of money, hold esteemed positions or hobnob with the goober smoochers. Perhaps their talent is internationally recognized or they have patented an amazing invention or have their own reality show. But the majority of us fit the description of the insignificants. This is my category. Except to a few, my legacy will be overlooked as the sands of time blow across any imprints I may have left in life.

    In biblical times, shepherds were despised by their communities. Because their occupation's paths crossed with those of the Gentiles, they were considered ceremonially unclean, making them unwelcome at worship. Also, they were not permitted to testify in court because they were deemed unreliable as witnesses.

    Is it any coincidence that the shepherds of Bethlehem were the first to receive the Savior's birth announcement? They were out there one night, minding their own, when an angel of the Lord was dispatched to them, not to the Mayor of Bethlehem or the leader of the local synagogue. It delighted God to choose below-average joes to be the very first witnesses of the long-awaited Messiah. 

    When they bent the knee before Him to adore Him, did they know their eyes beheld the Good Shepherd who came to seek and to save the lost sheep? Though their names are never revealed, these unclean, unreliable men "spread the word concerning what had been told them about this Child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them." (Luke 2:18) 

    So, what makes a person important by God's standards? For the answer, read this:

"Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things - and the things that are not to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him. It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God - that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. Therefore, as it is written: 'Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.'" 1 Corinthians 1: 26-31