We often find ourselves judging the messenger instead of receiving the message they bring. I want to shed light on the importance of hearing the message, no matter who delivers it. As the saying goes, “Don’t shoot the messenger.” But today, I want to add: Don’t disregard the message because of the messenger.
Imagine you’re trying to solve a problem—maybe it’s a glitch in your computer or a miscommunication in a project at work. You reach out for help, and the IT technician or co worker who arrives to fix the issue is, let’s be honest, not someone you would have chosen for the job. Perhaps they’re younger, or they don’t fit the mold you expected. But then, they dive into the problem, find the solution, and everything works. Are you going to ignore the solution just because of who delivered it? Of course not. The problem was solved, and that’s what matters.
Imagine a village that needs water. There’s a well far from the village, and every day, a series of villagers go to the well with buckets to get the water. Some villagers carry buckets that are beautifully carved and strong. Others, however, have old, cracked buckets that look worn and beat up. Every day, these cracked buckets still make the rounds, carrying their share of water.
One day, a villager with a cracked bucket asks another villager, “Why do you still use that bucket? It leaks water all the way back to the village. You’re carrying less than you should.”
The cracked bucket replies, “True, I lose some of the water, but I still bring some. You might have a perfect bucket, but you don’t carry any water to the village at all.”
In this parable, the buckets represent the messengers. Some might appear imperfect, broken, or not as we expect them to be, but they still carry valuable water—the message. Don’t let the cracks in the bucket prevent you from receiving the life-giving water.
This principle can be found all throughout the Bible. Think about Moses—who, by his own admission, was not a great speaker. He was slow of speech. Yet, God used him to deliver the message of freedom to the Israelites. Had the people focused only on Moses’ speech impediment, they would have missed the powerful message God was sending. This is why I troubleshoot so I don’t miss the word.
Then there was David, a young shepherd boy. He wasn’t the strongest or the tallest. He didn’t look like a king. Yet, God used him to defeat Goliath and lead a nation. If people had only judged David by his looks, they would have overlooked God’s plan for him.
Even Jesus himself, the ultimate messenger, came as a humble carpenter’s son, not a king or a conqueror. Yet His message, filled with grace, love, and redemption, changed the course of history. People who couldn’t get past His simple beginnings might have missed His divine purpose.
In life, you and I will encounter people of all kinds—people whose wisdom and guidance might come in forms we least expect. The delivery might be crazy, but that doesn’t mean the message is any less powerful or important. It’s crucial that we listen for the truth in the message, rather than judge the person who brings it.
And here’s something to consider: sometimes God doesn’t just use the “perfect” person or messenger. Sometimes, He uses us, in our brokenness, our flaws, and our imperfection. We might feel unqualified or unworthy, but the message is not about us. It’s about the truth, the guidance, and the hope we are meant to carry forward. We are all messengers in our own way.
This is where I want to encourage you: if you are the messenger—whether you’re speaking to your friends, your family, or your community—do not let self-doubt or criticism keep you quiet. You may not look like the messenger people expect, but if God has placed a message on your heart, He will equip you to deliver it, regardless of your imperfections.
And if you are receiving a message, don’t let the persons’ flaws cloud your understanding. Look past the imperfections and listen for the truth. The word. The message is the gift.
Finally, we are all called to troubleshoot—to figure out what’s not working and to solve the problem. In the same way we troubleshoot issues at work or in our personal lives, we need to troubleshoot the messages we hear. If a message feels difficult to digest, don’t immediately ignore it. Instead, pause and ask yourself: What is this message trying to teach me? Even a hard truth can be a powerful tool for growth.
So, today, I encourage you to look deeper. Don’t get distracted by the looks. Don’t let biases or assumptions get in the way. When you receive a message, hear it for what it is, not who it’s from. God can use anyone—a child, a stranger, even someone you disagree with—to deliver the message you need to hear.
God is not limited by who delivers the message, but by whether we are open to hearing it. Whether you’re the messenger or the listener, remember that the power lies in the message itself. Let us be open-minded and receptive, trusting that the truth can come in all forms, and that we all have the potential to be instruments of something greater than ourselves.
Remember: You can recognize an Angel by their message.