As we prepare our hearts and minds and pray about our April services, here is the theme the Lord gave Sarah for us to bring into the prisons . . .

“Mr. Irrelevant” 

Now I know this is a very different title and maybe a head-scratcher to some, but God spoke to Sarah during her quiet time about this theme . . .

In April, The NFL (National Football League) has their annual Draft where all the teams of this league choose new players. Coaches spend thousands of hours evaluating prospective player’s skills and physical attributes and fitness levels. There are 262 picks in the Draft and the very last pick in this draft is given a nickname and he is called, “Mr. Irrelevant.” The reason behind this is that no one expects this person to play much, let alone start or lead his team in any statistical category for many years, if at all.

In 2022, Brock Purdy was the last – 262^nd – pick of the draft by the San Francisco 49ers and was labeled, “Mr. Irrelevant.” No one expected he would play a single game in the upcoming season. Just a few months later, however, Brock Purdy led his team to TWO playoff wins! The reality is that team executives and coaches don’t always do an effective job identifying potential, and neither do we.

Remember the story in the Old Testament of Samuel tasked with selecting the next king of Israel? He went to see the sons of Jesse and Samuel was swayed by their physical appearance and he thought he knew who the right person was going to be, but God had a different perspective. 1 Samuel 16:7 says, “Do not consider his appearance or his height.” God led Samuel to choose NOT the oldest or the tallest or the one with the most talent and physical skill, but the youngest and the “runt” of the family, Mr. Irrelevant, David. Who, by the way, would go on to become Israel’s greatest earthly king!

So, why do we do such a poor job evaluating people? Let’s go back to the Scriptures and read the rest of verse 7, “people look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.”

We will be entering places this coming month where we will encounter many who feel very insignificant, worthless, useless, forgotten, etc. We will meet many who feel they are Mr. Irrelevant. It is our task to ENCOURAGE and REMIND the men they are NOT irrelevant in the sight of God and us. Maybe that one word of encouragement will be the catalyst to spark a change in someone thinking God has tossed them away. Maybe someone coming into our service is searching for significance and meaning in their life and will find it in your smile and handshake?

Pray and ask the Lord to speak to you about how relevant ALL of us are in His eyes and just how much He loves EACH and EVERY one of us. And may we go into every service having that same love flowing out of us so that everyone feels God’s love and that no one leaves our service feeling that they are Mr. Irrelevant anymore!