Small Places, Big Faces

Based on National Climatic Data Center records, New York state is home to the snowiest cities in the United States: Syracuse averages 115 inches of snow per year, and Rochester averages 93 inches per year. However, when it comes to the highest average snowfall, small towns win hands down. For instance, Mount Washington, New Hampshire, has an average annual snowfall of 260 inches, and Valdez, Alaska, averages 326 inches annually. Did you grow up in a small town or village? Sometimes the big cities can make the little-known places seem insignificant. But don’t be fooled. Here’s a short list of famous people who lived in smaller towns and attended community colleges at one time: Nolan Ryan, John Walsh, Sarah Palin, George Lucas, and Ross Perot.

Bethlehem of Judah was the small town where Jesus was born. It was so insignificant that even the Scribes and Pharisees seemed to forget about it when Herod asked them where the Messiah would be born. When Matthew quotes Micah 5:2 to show prophecy fulfilled, he describes this small town as being “the least among the rulers of Judah.”

God doesn’t need big places to make big things happen. The Lord is interested in using the insignificant. It takes the glory away from man and points us heavenward. It teaches us that no matter who we are or where we come from, Jesus can shine through our lives in a powerful way. Someone once said, “A snowflake is a powerful thing. Just look at what they can do when they stick together!”

Today, ask God to use you—as small as you might feel—to do big things that point people to the Child of Bethlehem.

Key Bible Texts

And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel. (Matthew 2:6 KJV)