God calls unexpected people from unexpected places to do extraordinary things. God calls people like Abraham and Sarah, Moses, Hanna, John the Baptizer and Paul, just to name a few. Even Jesus was an unexpected person from an unexpected place: no one expected the Messiah to be born of a poor unwed teenaged outcast from Nazareth.
The soon-to-be-called apostle Nathanael asks his friend Philip, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” It is a cultural remark, like a Calgarian asking “Can anything good come out of Edmonton?” Perhaps the obvious answer for Philip is, “Yes! Of course!” but Philip responds “Come and see.” It is one thing to be told about something or someone as unexpectedly important as Jesus, and it is quite another to see it for yourself.
God is alive and at work in you. It might take some digging around to discover, but it is true. You may not feel qualified. You may ask, “Can anything good come out of (insert your hometown)?” The answer is yes! You, too, are the good news of Jesus Christ. Much like those first apostles, you, too, are called and chosen by Jesus to follow.
Thank you, Jesus, that you are at work in me. Give me the courage to live my faith, so that I can join the apostles, inviting others to come and see you. Amen. — ANS