The royal runt rulers

I was the “runt of the litter” in our family. Sometimes the “runt” can feel small, weak, inadequate and unimportant — kind of a “left over,” getting all the “hand-me downs.” But I never felt that way, because my parents always said that because I was an unplanned-for “accident,” that must mean that I was “God’s idea.” In addition to that, I grew up learning about other “runts” like Joseph, Gideon and David (plus many others who felt like “runts”), whom God seemed to call to do great things, just because they were “runts.” This pattern runs throughout Scripture, and throughout history ever since. Time and again we see God enabling people from small beginnings and few resources to accomplish great things for His glory.

Due to an unexpected evening off, I had the opportunity to join in a Bible study with another church fellowship last week. I was blessed to be reminded that God makes it possible for each of us who come to Him through faith in His Son, not only to survive in life, but to thrive! Even though we may feel small, weak, inadequate or unimportant, we are actually called to reign with Him in not only overcoming trials, temptations and troubles — but to “turn those lemons into lemonade” and to “soar over the storms.” We are empowered to “rule over” the negative battles of life, through the power we receive from Him. And God does this so that HIS power will be demonstrated in our weakness.

The Apostle Paul wrote to the Corinthians that “God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things — and the things that are not — to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him. Therefore, as it is written: “Let him who boasts boast in the Lord. When I came to you, brothers, I did not come with eloquence or superior wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God … I came to you in weakness and fear, and with much trembling. My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, so that your faith might not rest on men’s wisdom, but on God’s power.” (1 Corinthians 1:27-2:5)

Later in his letter to the Ephesians, Paul explains when they came to God through faith in Christ, He made them alive with Him, and also “… raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus.” (2:6)

In other words, we don’t have to wait until we get to heaven to “reign with Christ.” He enables us to “reign” with Him in the “here-and-now,” through His power that is at work within us! And because we are just “runts” in the limitations of our own power and resources, we become “royal runt rulers” in Him!

I don’t know about you, but I’m glad that I don’t have to just accept my “runtiness.” I can embrace it, knowing that God chooses people like me to become “royal runt rulers” in His kingdom — by His power, and for His glory. I encourage you to embrace your “runtiness” as well, so that you can also reign as a “royal runt ruler.”

Pastor Jon L. Pomeroy is pastor at Sandpoint Church of God.