The credits rolled and the lights came up at the end of a
newly released blockbuster movie. Viewers
streamed out of the theater, as I sat watching the list of contributors scroll
upward. I stayed because I was
interested on who had worked on this story and in what obscure role. I was looking for the “little people” who, in
doing their part, created an amazing production.
Earlier that morning I had begun reading the book of Matthew
in a different translation than I had previously. And for the first time, in Matthew 1:1-16, I
noticed the inclusion of four female names in the long and primarily male genealogy
of Jesus Christ.
“The family tree of
Jesus Christ, David’s son, Abraham’s son:
Abraham had Isaac,
Isaac had Jacob,
Jacob had Judah and
his brothers,
Judah had Perez and
Zerah (the mother was Tamar)....”
Matthew 1:1-3a MSG
Like movie goers with the credits, I had often given little
attention to this list of history, but suddenly it was as if my own sister had
been included in the Bible! Why the
sudden highlight of something that had always been there?
God uses His written word to ease our worries.
For long enough I had been concerned about my insignificance
in the Kingdom of God. My little role in
God’s sensational storyline didn’t seem enough to warrant a credit in the long
list of megastars. Now was the time this
old verse be projected in a new light to comfort my insecurities.
God’s word was written by the inspiration of the Holy
Spirit. And within the first three
verses of the book that became the beginning of the New Testament, God made
sure Matthew gave credit to an obscure woman named Tamar for being a mother. Even if Tamar meant little to Matthew (something
we cannot know), she meant much to God, for she made it onto the list of who’s
who.
If you feel insignificant today, if you feel unseen in your
efforts to live a life serving God, be encouraged! You mean much to God! Your part in His storyline will get
recognition because He is the one who oversees writing it.
Author Bio:
Sharon has
been writing and teaching biblically based curriculum, Bible studies, and
devotionals since 2007.
She has
had the unique position of writing curriculum and teaching for two private,
Christ-based, residential recovery programs. Both programs primarily served
women in the homeless community.
Sharon has
traveled multiple times to Kenya, serving on medical teams and teaching in the
rural Maasai communities. She’s been privileged to speak in Leadership camps intended
on encouraging and empowering the impoverished, underprivileged, and often
abused young women.
Within
these ministries, Sharon has witnessed the transformative power of loving words
spoken to the broken-hearted. Sharing God’s love and witnessing its
transformative power has become her passion.
Sharon and
her husband, divide their time between Oregon and Hawaii. They have two grown
children.
Currently,
Sharon is encouraging others via her inspirational blog, but prefers sharing
face to face. Additionally, she is working towards a degree in Ministry.
~*~
Connect
with Sharon:
Website: Sharonmusgrove.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/Sharon-Musgrove-Untethered-102208978041060
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sharonmusgrove_untethered/
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