Feeling Insignificant?

But Paul’s nephew—his sister’s son—heard of their plan and went to the fortress and told Paul.

Acts 23:16

Permit me to provide a bit of background here, Paul has demanded that Caesar hear his case as he is a Roman citizen and the Pharisees would rather see Paul dead.  So they hatch a plan to tell the local constabulary that they wish to clarify something with Paul and, as the guard brings Paul to the inquiry, they will kill him.

With me so far?  Well, this devotional isn't about the plot or even about Paul.  It's about an unnamed fellow who saved Paul's life.  Paul's nephew, who is NEVER identified by name, heard the plot, ran to where Paul was being held, told Paul and then Paul got him escorted in to speak with the Commander.  That is a role of HUGE importance, yet we have no idea of his name.  It's as if this nephew of Paul's was somehow considered "insignificant."

Ever feel insignificant?  I have and do at times.  Yet allow me to give you a couple of things to consider: What's the name of the person who actually stitched your clothes together?  We don't know, yet without their contribution would your garments hold together? What's the name of the person who rings up your groceries?  We see their nametags, but do we bother to remember them?  Why not?

There are so many people who make HUGE contributions to our daily lives and yet...we tend to think of them as somehow being "insignificant."  We can remember who sings our favorite songs or writes our favorite books, but what about the technician who sets of the microphones or the person who delivers the manuscript to the editor?

"Because of Christ's sacrifice, there are NO nobodies living on planet Earth. A person is not significant because of their fame or fortune or stature or publicity makes them so. Each is significant to God because GOD said so. And that includes YOU! In God's estimation, YOU ARE SIGNIFICANT!" (Chuck Swindoll - Fascinating Stories of Forgotten Lives)

Think about that!