Words such as “ordinary,” “common,” and “familiar” often condition the value we attach to moments in time, places, and even people. In fact, usual and customary encounters rarely command our full attention. Yet, the Bible reveals ideas, principles, and practices of amazing importance that are concealed and revealed in the most unexpected places, unlikely times, and unknown individuals. Prevalent throughout the Old and New Testament, this practice is evident in the rich reservoir of biblical symbols and events. The writer of Hebrews admonishes us to be careful to entertain strangers, for some have entertained angels unaware (Heb. 13:2).

The power of insignificance is evident in the story of Jacob while fleeing from his brother Esau. While traveling through a familiar place, Jacob falls asleep and has a dream. When he awakes, the impact of the dream causes him to exclaim, “Surely the LORD is in this place, and I did not know it…This is none other than the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven!” Jacob calls the place of his dream Bethel (Gen. 28:10-19).

The Scripture is filled with examples of amazing ideas and events that occur in obscure places and through insignificant individuals. For example, David is the least among his brothers, revealing the last can become the first (1 Sam. 16); an unknown maid persuades an arrogant Syrian captain to obey prophetic instructions for healing, demonstrating that the preparation of a miracle is as important as the miracle (2 Kings 5:1-17); an anonymous poor widow obeys the instructions of a prophet, expressing the importance of common things (1 Kings 17:8-24); the Stone that the builders rejected became the head stone, demonstrating the power of God’s calling above man’s expectations (Matt. 21:42); an unknown lad is the catalyst for the miracle of the loaves and fish, revealing that it is not by power nor might but by the Spirit (Luke 8:12-17); a unnamed Samaritan stops to care for a wounded traveler demonstrating the principle of “otherliness” and sensitivity (Luke. 10:30-37); a mother known only as a Syrophenician persists in her request for the healing of her daughter, expressing the importance of saying the right things in faith (Mark 7:25-30); and Paul reminds the Corinthians that the Lord did not choose the influential or noble, expressing the idea that spiritual significance is resident in those who may lack natural ability (1 Cor. 1:26-29).

We live in a culture that is status-driven, and often, truly valuable ideas, moments and even people are overlooked because they seem to be outside the cultural norm. The voices of the elderly, the lonely beggar, or an old friend could be reservoirs of self-proclaimed insignificance. In fact, self-depreciation may occasionally be the result of failure to acknowledge the little things.

It may be a good practice to stimulate our sensitivity. For the preacher, speak to the congregation, regardless of its size, as though you are speaking to the Lord, and consider that every single member of the congregation, regardless of status, has potential for good or evil. For the believer, carefully consider each moment, place, and individual with whom you interact, for therein may be significance in that which seems insignificant.