If you read the Bible, you read about many “heroes of the faith”. People that made a difference in the Kingdom of God in some way or another. Some in very large ways, others in small but important ways. They made a choice to say “yes” to God even if they were sure they weren’t the right person for the job. And it always amazes me how God chose the most unlikely characters to be stars in his story. Ordinary people like me. People that have made mistakes, sometimes big ones. People with flaws in their personality. People with physical impairments that in human eyes would make them ineligible for the job. But God doesn’t see us the way we see each other. God looks at the heart…not at the outward appearance. (1 Samuel 16:7). And he wants someone who will surrender to him and allow him to show them that amazing things can happen when God is in control.
Moses – He was raised in the lavish home of the Pharaoh of Egypt while his people suffered as slaves in the land. He murdered someone, covered it up and ran away. He even argued with God and tried to convince him that he wasn’t the right guy for the job. But God assured him that he would be with him, and with God by his side – Moses led an entire nation out of captivity.
David – He was just a small shepherd boy, a very unlikely choice for King from a human perspective. But God saw his heart. David, chosen by God and totally reliant on him: slayed the oversized enemy, Goliath, while soldiers were shaking in their boots; spent years on the run from a jealous King bent on seeing him dead; made some pretty bad choices; experienced deep guilt; displayed humble repentance and received undeserved forgiveness. And through it all he praised God – and God used him mightily.
Paul – He began his life on the “other team”, persecuting Christians and seeking their destruction. He held the coats of men while they stoned Steven to death for boldly speaking the truth about Jesus. But Jesus stepped in and stopped Paul in his tracks. And when Jesus became real to Paul, and the true light of salvation “turned on” in his head, he couldn’t help but spend the rest of his life spreading the Good News. Despite many difficult challenges and a physical disability that plagued him, he relied on God’s strength to accomplish God’s purpose.
The Lord told him: “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. (2 Corinthians 12:9 NLT)
Many ordinary people accomplished extra-ordinary things because they trusted that God’s strength could more than make up for their weaknesses.
By faith these people overthrew kingdoms, ruled with justice, and received what God had promised them. They shut the mouths of lions, quenched the flames of fire, and escaped death by the edge of the sword. Their weakness was turned to strength. They became strong in battle and put whole armies to flight. (Hebrews 11:33, 34 NLT)
So we can be assured of this – God wants to use us not only despite our weaknesses, but because of our weaknesses. If he had made us perfect, we wouldn’t see our need for him and we’d miss out on the chance to experience life when his strength takes over.