23 For it was the king’s commandment concerning them, that a certain portion should be for the singers, due for every day.
35 Lod, and Ono, the valley of craftsmen.
Nehemiah 11:23,35
I realize that those two scriptures may or may not mean much to you this morning, but for me as an artist, singer, creative person often less than extraordinaire they meant a great deal.
When I tell people that I struggle. That’s not a lie and it’s not said for pity or pride. It’s just reality. I get up way too often in the morning feeling like a failure and that what I do doesn’t amount to a hill of beans in the scope of eternity. So when I read in Nehemiah this morning, as I’ve read at other times (but too often forget), God truly cares about the creative. That brought such joy to my heart.
While people enjoy music and art; unless you’re an honest to goodness “professional” your value is often viewed as less. It’s a hobby or a past time, not a career because it doesn’t come with a paycheck. And while I have people in my life that more than value me, I don’t value myself enough it seems.
So today I thought I’d post this short thought for those dealing with “feeling less.”
God made the moon the lesser light… and yet how many nights have we sat marveling at it. (Genesis 1:16)
The mustard seed is less than all the seeds on the earth… yet birds find rest and lodge there. (Mark 4:32)
There are parts of the body that we view as less important, and yet, we dare not want to live without them. (1 Corinthians 12:23)
Paul thought of himself less than all the saints (Ephesians 3:8) … but look at the difference he made in eternity.
David, King of Israel was the least of his brothers and not even considered by family in contention for the position, but God had other plans! (1 Samuel 16)
I reminded myself of these scriptures today, in hopes of encouraging my soul that lesser is often as it is, so that God can do the greater and receive the glory He deserves.
You and I are valuable members of the body of Christ. We are irreplaceable by anyone else.
He cared so much about me this happy Thursday morning that He showed me in His word and through friends how much the God of all creation, cares about the creative.
Glorraaaaay!