No One Is Insignificant Even When There Is A Feeling Of Insignificance

Whenever a dark cloud hit one’s life, there is a tendency to ask if their life plays any significant role. The bible reminds us that we are fearfully and wonderfully made and for his purposes has God created us. It so happens that in that state comes an opportunity which in otherwise demonstrates fourth that in spite of our what seems to be insignificant life is significance. In 2 Kings 5 is a well narrated story of the healing of Naaman, the Aramean Commander, from leprosy. He was a well decorated soldier whom the King had a great admiration for. Sometimes I tend to think young men and boys were pointed to this gentleman as a man they could emulate in fighting for one’s nation and bringing victory. Naaman, due to his capability and leadership and victories attached to his name would at no point be relieved off his duties. Imagine if he was a regular soldier or a losing soldier? How was Naaman feeling with this condition of leprosy? That in spite of his military capabilities he had skin condition. Between his restoration to the baby skin and his current situation is a maiden in his home whose name is not recorded anywhere for us. She was a Jew most likely taken in as a slave at a time when Arameans had conquered Israel. She is the one who comes with the idea of Naaman visiting the man of God, Elisha, and that he would be healed. This was something that Naaman would be hesitant try out of possibly having tried other means of healing unsuccessfully. Would Naaman have taken that as a set up? Would the girl’s idea have sounded like a treason in the ears of Israeli king? She had a genuine concern for Naaman who must have been desperate for healing and true to her word Naaman’s skin glows to the status of that of a young baby. Without this girl the story of Naaman’s restoration would not have made it to the pages of the Bible.

Another category is the lepers who had been positioned outside of the gate due to the same condition as Naaman- 2 kings 7. This was in accordance to the law of God with regards to individuals with that condition- Leviticus 13.46. This was during a hunger that had lavished the land of Israel to the extent of people becoming cannibals- 2 kings chapter 6 while at the same time after consuming the consumables they had turned out to doves’ faecal materials as well as donkey head whose cost had shot high due to high demand vs low supply. These men had smelled death and all that was left was to chose the means through which they would die or at least die trying. They opted to match to the Arameans camp- the perennial tormentors of Israelites. Miraculously God used these men to cause a situation through which food became plenty in the land of Israel and more lives were saved as well as their livestock. Dignity was restored. In the process: These men who were leprous had access to the very camp which they were outsiders to. Nobody within the city felt threatened anymore by their skin condition. Secondly, they had preserved their lives in a situation which would seem like a treason plan. Lastly, just like the maiden in Naaman’s house, they are not acknowledged neither are we aware of who their names were. But their acts, boy they ended up saving a lot of lives. Their insignificance at that particular moment didn’t matter in comparison to the great role they had played in bringing out a significant role.

Thirdly I think of Joseph whose landing in Egypt originated from a number of dreams shared to individuals who thought it too wayward for a younger brother, the second last kid, to claim that he is going to lead the rest. To this reason they turned him into a merchandise that lands into a place of slavery and dungeon and in all these places his antenna kept on being broken by those who interacted with it. When those to whom their dreams he gave an interpretation forgot him he must have thought within himself’’ kwani watu hutaka aje? ‘’- what exactly do people want? However, this insignificant prisoner interprets a dream that the king had to accuracy and from that simple act of interpreting a dream came a man who saved an entire nation and abroad while turning the same nation into a super power economically. It was the International Cereals centre where everyone came for food. The insignificant dreamer becomes the hero of the moment and unlike the two characters demonstrated above, for him was honour and crown that seems to come before his achievement. What was going on through Josephs mind when no one remembered him even after helping them out? What about Potiphar’s wife who had landed him to jail from a lustful desire which joseph committed not to fulfil even though that would have been a leeway for favours? Did he ever feel like he had been forgotten by those that matter to him? His brothers found him and his only explanation to them was that God had sent him there so as to prepare a table for them and rescue them because this hunger had its fangs ready to spike anyone whom it interacted with. Without Joseph’s dream and experience, may be the powerful Egypt would not have risen as well as Israel being preserved.

Lastly is the case of Jesus. Jews are being tormented by the Romans and they are seeking to lay rods of iron over them. To this effect they are revisiting every promise that they had been issued with previously so as to see when the king would arrive and relieve them from their tormentors. I guess there must have been some sons of Issachar who knew time because this was a curious wait. They are waiting for a political figure who is to come and lead a resistance movement against these ungodly Romans and subdue them. Unfortunately, and opposite to their expectation is the arrival of a king who comes through the most awkward way. Since they expect a political king, their expectation is like that of a US president checking into a public arena. To their surprise, he lands in a manger, he lands into a carpenter’s house- no fame is expected to arise from such an environment not unless it is of something that is not godly. He lands into a city whose coordinates in the maps is not noticeable. And this is the very individual who raises a claim that he has not only come to the Jews but to the whole world. Sounds like a joke of the season. A comic play one would state. The means of bringing victory also doesn’t seem to add up- death on the cross? Seriously? Is that how we are to defeat the romans who are qualified users of crude weapons- swords, knives, proper whips, etc? What were those who had believed in him thinking? The self-proclaimed king is dead and now their hopes shuttered. Is that not the reason as to why Peter and the squad decided fishing is okay and soon were to shift their loyalties to the former masters- pharisee? But wait until he conquers death. This does not only brighten their hope but reignites their zeal and passion for this king such that his disciples 2000yrs later are not diminishing but matching fourth with the course. Counting the cost and increasing in numbers.

These are just but a few samples of cases that demonstrates fourth that the individuals who from self and others think that they are insignificant end up being significant in extraordinary cases. This is a demonstration that no one no matter what is happening to them is insignificant. We are all significant. In spite of the prevailing circumstances, the truth remains that there is a significance in each one of us whether it shall be acknowledged or not. And at the role we play brings a so much effect positively that nobody remembers whether we were in a situation that seemed to endanger them or shame them or not so appealing. At such a point even kings will dine with the hobos in a bid to demonstrate how happy they are. The best attitude therefore is to acknowledge that we are made in his image and likeness and for himself has he made us- Psalms 139.14.