Wednesday December 16th, 2015 Micah 5:2-5a
But you, O Bethlehem of Ephrathah, who are one of the little clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to rule in Israel, whose origin is from of old, from ancient days. (verse 2)
Micah’s original audience understood that sometimes great leaders come from unexpected places. King David was once a shepherd boy from Bethlehem. Now Micah was telling them that another ruler would come from that small village, one who would bring security through peace. (verses 4-5)
We can never know who will change the world. Canadian Craig Kielburger was only 12 years old when he brought the world’s attention to child labour in South Asia. In 1955, Rosa Parks, a tired seamstress on her way home from work, was arrested for refusing to give up her seat on the bus to a white man. Her choice led to a new era in the struggle for racial equality in the United States.
This Advent we once again look for God at work through the birth of a poor baby in a stable in Bethlehem. But God will also be at work through acts of hope and caring by people around us. Who knows? Maybe we will be God’s unlikely leaders from unexpected places.
Surprising God, wake us up to see you at work in our everyday experiences and actions. Amen. — JN
Contributed by Unlikely Leaders from Unexpected Places
Micah's original audience understood that sometimes great leaders come from unexpected places. King David was once a shepherd boy from Bethlehem. Now Micah was telling them that another ruler would come from that small village, one who would bring security through peace. (verses 4-5)
We can never know who will change the world. Canadian Craig Kielburger was only 12 years old when he brought the world's attention to child labour in South Asia. In 1955, Rosa Parks, a tired seamstress on her way home from work, was arrested for refusing to give up her seat on the bus to a white man. Her choice led to a new era in the struggle for racial equality in the United States.
This Advent we once again look for God at work through the birth of a poor baby in a stable in Bethlehem. But God will also be at work through acts of hope and caring by people around us. Who knows? Maybe we will be God's unlikely leaders from unexpected places.
