In the Most Unlikely of Places…

As I look at the pictures of wildlife that I have been taking since we moved to Estes Park, Colorado and the Rocky Mountains; I have noticed that most of the pictures are of rather large animals. Whether they be Elk or Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep, Deer or Bobcats; they are fairly large and impressive (even the Bobcat who is the smallest of the wildlife mentioned). There is one little critter that I have noticed a number of times in our neighborhood. This little bunny rabbit is a part of our family in Estes Park as are the squirrels and birds.

Often times when I take Pixie, our chihuahua, out for a walk or simply walk to the mailbox by myself, I startle one of these little ones. I don’t necessarily see them until they bolt for cover. Yes, in the midst of a world of majestic creatures that are hard to miss, live small little bunny rabbits who are an equally important part of this place we call home.

Believe it or not, this actually does tie in to the reading from Micah for this Sunday! In the fifth chapter of Micah, we read the following: “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.” (Micah 5:2)

What was Micah saying exactly? Well, to be honest, he is saying that a mighty thing will come from a small and insignificant family unit (clan) of the house of Judah. We read something similar in John, Chapter One, when Philip runs to tell Nathanael that they have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law… Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph. Who? That is the response of Nathanael… “Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?” (John 1:46)

What can come from Nazareth? What can possible come from Bethlehem? Seriously, from such a small place can anything of significance come? In a word, yes! Bethlehem is a small village, yet from that small hamlet came the mighty King David! Don’t let the size of the village surprise you, wondrous things can come from places you least expect them to be.

I can almost hear Micah saying to the people: “Have you forgotten your history? Do you not remember that King David was the ‘runt of the litter’ when Samuel went looking for a new King? The new David shall arise from such humble beginnings to rule the people once again.”

I often wonder as we endure political election seasons, if we have somehow lost sight of this same principle. We look for a leader who has money, power, connections, and the biggest mouth (or so it appears in this primary season). You want truth? It will be hard to find. You want honesty? Well, that’s gonna cost you! It seems that the biggest blowhard is the one getting all of the attention. I sometimes wonder if we are looking in all the wrong places or using the wrong “set of credentials” as we look for leaders.

When I served in the Air Force, I worked under a variety of leaders. I remember one particular leader (a four star general) who shall remain nameless who was all ego it seemed. It was all about him and he made sure everyone knew it! Did he make it to the top of the heap? Nope. He didn’t. He even got fired from his first post-retirement position because there was no room for his ego and the people he was supposed to lead/serve wouldn’t put up with his bluster and B.S.

There was another leader whom I was privileged to serve under. He was my Commander and I was his Wing Chaplain. He had to deal with the larger than life ego of the general mentioned above. However, my Commander was not an egomaniac. He was a humble leader. He was an ordinary fellow who graduated from the ROTC program at a small state university. He wasn’t the immediate center of attention like his boss was. He quietly mentored, led, and guided everyone on  the installation, regardless of rank. When great results happened as a result of inspections or the actions of particular members, he didn’t take the credit. He gave credit to those who had worked hard. If, however, there was a problem, he would shoulder the responsibility for that problem and work with the team to correct it.

This was Micah’s warning to the people in Exile. Don’t look for the new David among the high and mighty. You are going to find this leader in the most unlikely of places where he will be humbly serving God. When the Shepherds searched for the one whom the angels sang about, they didn’t find him in a palace. He wasn’t dressed in fine linens and fed with a silver spoon. No, they found the new King laying in a manger! Where are we going to find Jesus when he comes again? I don’t think we are going to find Jesus in the largest and most opulent places of worship. I also don’t think we are going to find him in the center of money and power. Instead, just as when he was born long ago, we are going to find him in the most unlikely of places. Of course, I believe we can find him today in those most unlikely of places. Two Thanksgiving’s ago, I found Jesus in a homeless camp! I wrote about this in the following blog: I Met Jesus in Tent City.

Yes, I believe that we will find Jesus in the most unlikely of places; just as Micah foretold so long ago. “he shall stand and feed his flock in the strength of the Lord… and he shall be the one of peace.” (Micah 5:4-5a)

In this time where fear is fed by 24 hour news channels and blowhard political candidates and politicians, perhaps we should be looking harder for peace and hope. Instead of giving in to the fear-mongering, perhaps we should be seeking to be instruments of hope and peace in the midst of a world gone mad.

Will you join me, dear reader, in following the one who calls us to love God and love neighbor? Will you join with me, as I seek to be a servant of peace? Not the world’s peace, mind you, but the peace of Christ… the peace that passes all understanding.

Lord, hear our prayer… Dona Nobis Pacem… Grant Us Peace… Make us instruments of that peace… as small and insignificant as we are… use us to spread your peace…