Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things … the weak things … the lowly things of this world … so that no one may boast before him. It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus …. (1 Corinthians 1:26-30 NIV)
He was a most unlikely candidate to lead a nation. He had an anger problem. He ran away instead of facing his troubles. And he had a speech issue. Oh, and did I mention he was 80 years old? But God chose Moses to lead His people out of Egypt and into freedom.
Her mother and her father had both died. She was raised by an uncle, a captive in a foreign land not her own. Just one of thousands. Yet, God chose Esther to marry a powerful king and save her nation from annihilation by her interceding pleas. Somehow, I don’t think when she was a little girl growing up an orphan, she ever dreamed that would be her role.
He was too scared to even thresh wheat in the open. He was the youngest kid in his family in the least important clan and tribe. But God decided Gideon was the perfect warrior to fight a battle with a mere 300 men against thousands.
He started out watching his dad’s sheep. He slept with too many women and killed one husband to acquire yet another wife. Yet, God made him king—and the king from whose lineage would come the King of Kings, God’s own Son. His psalms and stories fill God’s Word, because—despite all his mess-ups and trials—King David truly deeply loved God.
She lived in a small village. Just a teenage girl, excited or scared (who knows?) about her soon-to-be new life as the wife of a poor carpenter. Yet God met her and told her she would give birth to the Savior of the world. And Mary did.
When God Himself showed up in human skin, He chose an animal’s feeding trough for His bassinette and swaddling clothes for His layette. He was born in an obscure town to poor folk who were forced to flee to Egypt as refugees for a time. He never owned His own home or accrued a savings account. He traveled light and often slept outdoors. He had no microphones, cameras, newscasts, or social media to capture the attention of a nation and a world … and yet Jesus did.
How about you? Are you feeling insignificant? Inadequate to serve Him? Perhaps your sins are great and you think that disqualifies you from the kingdom-building program. Good news. God delights in taking those of us who are weak, insignificant, and terribly flawed and molding us into beautiful vessels for His kingdom work.
Let’s join God’s ragtag brigade of misfits shall we? Let’s rejoice that He loves to use the least of us for His good work, so that His glory shines through our efforts. We don’t have to be strong, good-looking, wealthy, or super smart to be used by God. In fact, those very things can be hindrances to our usefulness if we rely on them instead of Him. Instead, let’s come to Him with willing hearts, ready to be redeemed and transformed for His good purposes.
Who knows what He will do through us if we are willing?
Lord, here we are. Use us as You will for Your good purposes. We bow our heads and hearts before You in trust and happy expectation. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
You are loved,
Sharon
Sweet Selah Ministries
Vision To encourage a movement away from the belief that “busy is better”
and toward the truth that stillness and knowing God matter most—
and will be reflected in more effective work and service
Mission
To offer resources and retreats that help women pause (Selah)
and love God more deeply as they know Him more intimately (Sweet)
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