Who is your favorite Bible hero? Is it David who bravely fought Goliath? Is it Daniel who faced the lions? Is it Moses who led the Israelites out of Egypt? Is it Esther who cleverly saved her people? Perhaps it is Elijah who called down fire on Mount Carmel. All these people were willing to suffer loss or pain, even to the point of death, for others. They demonstrated a self-sacrificial love or commitment to follow God to the end. Sometimes Bible heroes seem bigger than life with unattainable character, but they were just ordinary people called to do big things.
Too often we glorify Bible characters and believe that our ability to serve God is less than those “saintly” prophets and apostles of yesterday. Remember, the same Spirit that filled their lives occupies each believer. Our Heavenly Father has equipped each one of us with special gifts and talents. The world might say there are many reasons why God wouldn’t want to use you or me, but no matter what our limitations, we are each useful to God. Think about how God used these folks despite their imperfections:
- Moses stuttered.
- John Mark was rejected by Paul.
- Abraham was too old.
- David was too young.
- Timothy had ulcers.
- Peter was afraid of death.
- Lazarus was dead.
- John was self-righteous.
- Naomi was a widow.
- Paul was a murderer. So was Moses.
- Jonah ran from God.
- Miriam was a gossip.
- Gideon and Thomas both doubted.
- Jeremiah was depressed and suicidal.
- Martha was a worrywart.
- Mary was lazy.
- Elijah was burned out.
- John the Baptist was a loudmouth.
God doesn’t require a job interview. He doesn’t look at financial gain or loss. He’s not prejudiced or partial, not judging or grudging, not deaf to our cry, and not blind to our need. He knows each of us. As much as we try to prove ourselves, God gives us what we need, and His gifts are free. No gifts are greater than the other. The Apostle Paul wrote, “Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are varieties of ministries, and the same Lord. There are varieties of effects, but the same God who works all things in all persons” (1 Corinthians 12:4-6).
God calls each of us to some purpose, none greater than the other: “It was He who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelist, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ” (Ephesians 4:11-12).
Satan says, “You’re not worthy.” Satan looks back and sees our mistakes. God looks back and sees the cross. Sure, there are lots of reasons why God shouldn’t want us. But if we are totally in love with Him and we hunger for Him more than our next breath, He’ll use us despite who we are, where we’ve been, or what we look like. Each of us is an important part of the body of Christ.
Scripture Reading: 1 Corinthians 12:14-31
Personal Application: Despite your shortcomings, if you are willing to trust and obey, God will use you to build His kingdom. Instead of looking at your limitations, focus on God’s loving grace and the nature of who He is. How has God gifted you to build up the body of Christ? Where is God calling you to use your gifts?
Jim Grassi, D. Min.
We cherish any verse in Scripture that reminds us to keep focused and intentional about evangelism and discipleship. “But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.” 2 Timothy 4:5