Here’s something you should probably know about me, especially if we haven’t met in person.

It’s a fact that is intrinsic to my personality. Something that is difficult to overlook.

On a good day, with my three-inch heels on, I hover at about five feet high. Or thereabouts.

Being “fun size” comes with its share of good things and not-so-good things.

The good things? I find airplane seats adequately roomy. It’s easy to weave past others to the front of a crowd. Generally speaking, people think I’m younger than I am (which can be disadvantageous too, I suppose, especially when you want to be taken seriously.)

The not-so-good things? Do you really want me to get started? Do you happen to have all day to listen? I’m just kidding. Being petite has its challenges (like having my forehead and not my face staring back at me from some bathroom mirrors), but I’ve dealt with the lemons with a squeeze of humor and ridiculously high heels. Also, my height (or lack thereof) gives me a valid excuse to buy another pair of stilettos and strut my way through life. Or, more precisely, wobble my way through it like an inept and inebriated sailor.

But, admittedly, there have been times that because of my stature, I’ve felt ‘less than.’ When it comes to speaking engagements, I’ve often wondered if my diminutive stature disqualifies me.

While I don’t have speaking gigs lined up, there are times I’ve been invited to speak on a stage where the lectern (those obnoxiously large wooden stands especially) has all but swallowed me up. I look somewhat dismembered when I stand behind tall lecterns with only my head popping up from the top of it—like I’m in a magic show where the illusionist is sawing off parts of his assistant’s body.

I’m not trying to buy your sympathy here, but the truth is, when I walk onto a stage, I’m not exactly Ms. Impressive. Not only do I have wobbly knees because of nerves, but it’s compounded by very tall shoes.

Perhaps you’ve felt “less than” or inadequate because of a physical characteristic or your personality type. It could be at your job, in your parenting, in forging friendships, hosting people, or in public speaking.

But today I want to remind you of a truth. It’s an old truth—one that you probably heard as a child, but it’s worth repeating: God doesn’t care two hoots about how “impressive” you look on the outside. (And, yes, I’ll support that piece of ‘sound doctrine’ in the narrative we’re about to get into.)

God dispatches the prophet Samuel to the house of Jesse to choose a new king for Israel since King Saul was losing the plot.

I’m pretty certain Jesse was honored that one of his handsome sons would be picked as the next king. He parades his seven “wonders” before Samuel and probably stood beaming with pride in the background. Surely Samuel would pick Eliab, the tall, good-looking one. Even Samuel thought Eliab looked perfectly regal. But God had other plans. He sends a memo to Samuel about the ‘Chris Hemsworth’ of the Jesse family:

“Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” (1 Samuel 16: 7)

Woohoo. Heart, not height, God says! That right there, friends, is the Lord standing up for short people who tend to be overlooked. Or, at least, that’s my personal (and theologically inaccurate) takeaway from that story.

Meanwhile, here’s something we can all hold to:

You don’t have to look or sound impressive to the world for the Lord to use you to create impact for His kingdom.

He chooses the unlikely ones. He picks the ones that are often side-lined and forgotten because He sees something in them that the culture doesn’t.

But getting back to our story: after the line-up of linebackers goes back to the locker room, Jesse finally resorts to summoning the player left behind on the bench: David.

When the young shepherd boy walks in, God says to Samuel: Yup, that’s the one. He’s the guy I’ve picked for the job.

Friend, God says the same thing to you today: You’re the one I’ve handpicked and chosen for that impossibly big assignment.

The world may think you’re unimpressive. Too short, too tall, too loud, too quiet, too opinionated, not opinionated enough, too slight, too heavy, too smart, not smart enough, too young, too old…  But God looks at the heart. You don’t have to impress Him because He already declares that you are His treasured possession.

But here’s another thing to consider: David wasn’t just waiting around, crossing his fingers and hoping that Samuel would pick him. He was busy taking care of his sheep. He was fighting off bears and lions with his bare hands (Take that, Thor!). He was fully engaged in his current assignment.

The question is, am I so focused on the next big thing that I forget the simple, daily tasks in front of me? Am I so intent on being called to the spotlight that I ignore the seemingly small things that God has assigned me to right now?

Even if the world relegates us to backstage, let’s find ourselves doing the best we can behind the curtains. Do the assignment God has placed in your hands. Do it with excellence. And know all the while that God is not limited by our seeming “limitations.” He will fulfill His purpose for you.

Maybe one day I’ll stop wearing three-inch heels. Meanwhile, I hope to wobble on stages and off, doing the big and little things God has prepared in advance for me to do.

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