Yotam Ottolenghi, British chef and bestselling author said, “What is one man’s trash is another man’s treasure.” While he was referring to food ingredients in recipes, it certainly applies in many aspects of life. In her book “Molly Bawn,” Margaret Wolfe Hungerford said “Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.”

Way too often we look at people and write them off as useless because of looks, age, body-type, job and all things external. We hear, and say, things such as: They are too young, They are too old. She’s just weird. Have you seen him?

Have you ever felt useless because of external things out of your control, or maybe because of a mistake you made? I have been there done that and have a drawer full of T-shirts to show for it.

That mindset is opposite of what scripture tells us. Let me give you some good news. God does not judge by the external, instead he looks at the heart. He doesn’t look past your mistakes, he bore their consequences and frees you from your guilt.

On the surface Phoebe was not in a place of influence. She was likely a single woman in a male dominated culture. Yet she was proven to be a leader, vouched for by the Apostle Paul and was a great contributor to the early church.

Again, do you feel overlooked and useless? You are in just the right place. Get ready for God to work.