“Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter.  Philip found Nathanael and said to him, “We have found Him of whom Moses in the Law and also the Prophets wrote—Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.” Nathanael said to him, “Can any good thing come out of Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and see.”

~ John 1:44-46 

     I love this passage because it speaks to me of little things, little places, little people, and that which, except for the mighty hand God, might otherwise simply be ignored. God delights in all kinds of little things.  When He brought the Messiah into the world, God did not make it some grand and glorious affair in which all the elite of the land would marvel.  Jesus wasn’t born in a palace, but in a stable. He wasn’t adored by senators, but by shepherds. His family wasn’t rich, powerful, or influential; just a simple working man’s home. Jesus didn’t grow up in the “big city” of Rome—center of global power and commerce—or even in Jerusalem—home of the temple and center of the Jewish faith—but in the obscure village of Nazareth—known for pretty much… nothing!

     Jesus delighted in little things.  The Bible says of Him, “A bruised reed He will not break off, and a dimly burning wick He will not extinguish” – (Matthew 12:20). I don’t think Jesus went around deliberately stepping on bugs.  I remember the Apostle Paul saying, “He has said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness’…  for when I am weak, then I am strong” (2 Corinthians 12:9-10).

     Feeling small, weak, insignificant? Think—“poor little Nazareth, just a mudhole among the villages; what could God EVER do with such a place”… ummmm, make it the home where the Messiah would grow up?  And what about poor little Brady; what could God EVER do with such a place… except, ummmm, make it a light to the world from which the Gospel shines forth?

     I’m thinking… there is no “little” tool in God’s “MIGHTY” hand!   ~ Phil