Nobody

1 Peter 5:6 - Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:

The male robin is a stunning bird. We’re fortunate to have one prance around our bird feeder most mornings. Our Mr. Robin has a beautiful red-orange breast plate and is quite stunning in coloration.  American Robins are fairly large songbirds with a large, round body, elongated legs, and fairly long tail. Robins are the largest North American thrushes, and their profile offers an excellent chance to learn the basic shape of most thrushes. American Robins are industrious and authoritarian birds that bound across lawns or stand erect, beak tilted upward, to survey their habitat. When surveying the environment, they habitually flick their tails downward several times. In fall and winter they form large flocks and gather in trees to roost or eat berries. Sort of like we female humans do when we visit the public restroom – it’s always more enjoyable to go with friends, right ladies?  I do find it funny, as in ironic, that the female bird often has less colorful contrast to their gray feathers and have a paler head. So if you see a boldly hued Robin, it’s probably a guy!

So with a yard full of beautiful robins, an occasional blue bird, various wrens, thrushes, red-headed woodpeckers, and lovely red cardinals, why do I feel like the “underdog” crow of the bunch? Yes, the farmer repelled black sheep of the bird family. If I were a bird, I should be a crow – the “low person” on the totem pole. Notice I said should be, not want to be. After all, in the big scheme of things, I’m nobody. One grain of sand among an ocean.  John 5:30 - I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me.

When I interview prospective employees, one of the routine questions I ask, is if they were a jungle animal, what animal would they be? You’d be surprised (or maybe not) at some of the answers I receive! But, I digress, that’s a story for another time. Let me say again, I’m nobody. There’s nothing I can boast about within myself or my own abilities, limited as they are. But I’m SOMEBODY to God. You are too! We must be reminded of this – the flesh is incredibly weak! The book of Matthew (26) reminds us that “the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak.” God will always love us. Period. No matter what. No matter when. There may be times when we FEEL like nobody, but let’s be reminded that a true Believer is SOMEBODY to the most High God! We aren’t worthless to HIM. He’s our Father!

Come as you are. Whether you’re overflowing and multi-talented or perhaps less outwardly gifted, every Christian has a purpose and a work to do. We all have a past. Everyone has sin scars – some hidden, some exposed. Don't let your past rob you of future blessings.  I John 1:8  If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. You’ve probably read the popular plaque – don’t let your past define your future!

We, I myself included, may feel like a complete failure at times, but there are things we can still do! Faithfulness to God’s house, compassion in action, active prayer lives, reading His Word, just to name a few! Our insufficiencies may outreach our capabilities, but God calls us to do His work anyway. He already knows we’re unworthy! But do WE acknowledge it? You may remember that song from childhood, “He’s still working on me. To make me what I ought to be. It took Him just a week to make the moon and stars, the earth and Jupiter, Neptune and Mars.”

I had already written most of today’s post when I heard a message from a preacher last night out of I Kings, chapter 17. The scripture speaks of the raven delivering the “bread and flesh” to the prophet Elijah. Ravens were considered an unclean bird, a lowly, unfortunate bird among the thrushes and beautiful doves. Yet, the raven was obedient. God used the “lesser vessel” to carry out His work. The raven didn’t eat the food for his own benefit, or the benefit of his kinship, but he obeyed God. It’s imperative that we obey God! Obedience can be HARD, but you’ll be granted peace!

It is utterly important when we feel useless, unworthy, not good enough, beaten down, and/or discouraged to remind ourselves (and the evil one) that we’re SOMEBODY in CHRIST. Romans 8:37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. Maybe you know someone who would like you to fail? That’s a sincere shame isn’t it? We all probably know someone who might receive a little pleasure out of our sorrow. It’s part of being human. Pray for these people! Let it go! Forgive. Serve God anyway. HE will help you rise again.

Here is a little poem I wrote a few years ago ~May you be encouraged.

Look UP my friends!

Rise!    By Kimberly M Hemric

Rise, like the morning dew
On the mountain's gable.
Rise like the ocean,
Always moving, always stable.
Rise when the strong wind
Comes knocking on your door.
Rise when troubles come,
And you question how much more?
Like the caged bird,
looking through prison bars,
Rise through heavenly prayer
Upward through the stars.
Rise, when others
Expect you to fall,
Rise when you feel alone,
And there's no one to call.
Rise, for yourself
And for those who don't think you can.
Rise! Rise, Rise!
That's always my plan.