Have you ever felt as though you’re not a first-draft selection when it comes to being used by God?
Have you ever felt there are other choices that just make more sense? People who are smarter, better looking, or more gifted?
If so, you are not alone! At times, we all feel hints of insecurity and self-doubt. But when God looks at us, he doesn’t focus on what we can’t do; he sees what he can do through us. In fact, sometimes the individual whom God chooses can be surprising–not only to us but also to the one chosen!
Consider Moses. He has a profound encounter with God in Exodus 3 in which God chooses him to lead the Israelites out of Egypt and into the freedom God had for them. Moses doesn’t throw his hands up in the air and say, “I’m here and ready to go!” Instead, he argues with God, offering up a laundry list of weaknesses and doubts. Moses reminds God he has a speech impediment and can’t speak in public very well. He is not a confident leader. Yet God sees past Moses’ anxieties and knows he is the best choice. No one is probably more surprised than Moses!
Another example is Jeremiah. When God speaks to Jeremiah in Jeremiah 1, appointing him as a prophet to the nations, Jeremiah is surprised! His immediate concern is that he doesn’t know how to speak, and he is so young that no one will listen to him. But the Lord reminds Jeremiah not to allow his youth or insecurities to get the best of him. Instead, Jeremiah is to obey God with courage.
God has an amazing way of surprising us with what He’s asking us to us do! Throughout the Bible we read of men and women who save nations, lead thousands to freedom, perform miracles, and follow Jesus to their deaths.
All are surprised by what God calls them to, but they still choose to answer the call.
Though you may not feel as if you’re the obvious choice for honoring God with your life, no one qualifies according to their own merit. God uses a responsive and willing heart to do amazing things.
What is something that God is calling you to that seems impossible?
