But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. (1 Corinthians 1:27)
If I were to ask you to name a list of extraordinary people whom you look up to in the world, who would you name? You would probably name someone who is a ‘somebody’ – one with some extraordinary accomplishments, powerful, famous, intelligent, wealthy or successful. When we use our skewed perception to measure one another’s worth, we are left feeling like we are either failures or ‘nobodies’ – ordinary people who are insignificant, unqualified and overlooked.
Thankfully, God’s criteria for selecting people aren’t based on these human standards. In fact, God’s most extraordinary work throughout the Bible were done through the most ordinary people. God delights in using the ‘nobodies’ like you and me. Gideon saw himself as the weakest of the weakest. But God saw Gideon for what he could be. God doesn’t only call the qualified. We can be sure that He will personally qualify the called.
David was a humble shepherd boy who was overlooked by his family and underestimated by everyone except God. God chose David for his extraordinary heart, not his outward appearance. When humble people succeed, God gets the glory because they acknowledge their success isn’t theirs. Humility positions us to rely on God’s strength instead of our own. Do you desire for God to elevate you? Then, you must cultivate a heart of humility. Will you give up your self-seeking ambition and reflect His greatness instead of your own? Scriptures say that humility comes before honour. It is the gateway to God’s favour.
We may have lesser than others – lesser talents, time, finance or anything else for that matter. The boy’s lunch of five loaves and two fish was insignificant by the world’s standards. But in Jesus’ hands, it fed the multitudes. Do you find yourself having less to offer than others? God specialises in multiplying the little we have when we surrender ourselves to Him in faith. Don’t underestimate what you have to offer. God can use our ordinary gifts to accomplish miracles. Multiplication is God’s work, not ours.
God uses ordinary people like you and me to show that His Kingdom is indeed for everyone! God’s choice to use the weak and the outcast proves that he can use anyone. It is never about how great we are but about how powerful He is. Think of the many times God has moved on your behalf despite your failings. Will you step out in faith, trusting that God’s transformative grace will do the rest?
In God’s Kingdom, there are no nobodies. God sees each of our worth, purpose and potential. You are not just a bystander. You are an integral part of God’s redemption plan. He has extraordinary plans for you.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank You for seeing the extraordinary in the ordinary and for using those who feel unworthy or overlooked. Help me to trust in Your power and purpose. Use my life to bring You glory in ways that only You can. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
DAILY MEDITATIONS:
Monday: 1 Samuel 16:7
But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or height, for I have rejected him; for God sees not as man sees, for man looks at outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”
Tuesday: 2 Corinthians 12:9
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”
Wednesday: 2 Corinthians 12:10
That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weakness, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
Thursday: James 4:6b
“God opposes the proud but shows favour to the humble.”
Friday: John 6:12-13
When they had all had enough to eat, he said to his disciples, “Gather the pieces that are left over. Let nothing be wasted.” So they gathered them and filled twelve baskets with the pieces of the five barley loaves left over by those who had eaten.
Saturday: James 4:10
Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.
Sunday: 2 Corinthians 4:7
But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us,
All scriptures are quoted from the New International Version (NIV).
By Pastor Katherine Han
