I’m sure you would agree that God uses just about anything or anyone he chooses in the bible for His will to be done. In Numbers, he opens the mouth of a donkey to rebuke Balaam (Num. 22:28). In the book of Jonah, he provided a worm to take the shaded vine away from Jonah to allow Jonah’s heart to be changed towards the people of Tarshish (Jonah 4:7).  He said in Luke, to a response to the Pharisees wanting Jesus to subdue a worshiping crowd, that “[even] if they keep quiet, the rocks would cry out” (Luke 19:40).

        Now let’s move on from worms and rocks to God’s choice of people.  People in the bible, often memorialized years later for their valor and courage were often, when it comes right down to it, wracked with flaws. Many were insecure, impatient, jealous, depressed, ashamed, cheaters, liars, doubters, guilty, full of lust, full of envy, and the list goes on.  What we remember about them, is what Paul Harvey would define as “the rest of the story.”  It is not how they WERE so much than how God used them despite who they were. God’s purpose was not to make heroes and heroines like fictional fairy tales. It is to show how AWESOME God is!! He uses an “every day Joe” so to speak, I believe to show the relatable qualities each of us possess throughout mankind. We can simply identify! It offers a simple explanation, “If God can use her, He can also use me.”

The most important reason the Lord used (and uses) ordinary people with sometimes below average talents and qualities to work through is because HE wants the glory!  In His infinite wisdom, His ways of choosing a qualified applicant is far different than the way the world chooses. “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” (I Cor. 1:27).

Moses, in Exodus 4, when called to lead his people out of Egypt, out of slavery and bondage, had a gut-wrenching conversation with the Lord before he ever stepped foot on Mt. Sinai that showed more of what he was NOT capable of instead of highlighting his strengths.  I think Moses needed to brush up on his interviewing skills! His resume included “I’m slow of speech” (10b), and “they won’t believe me” (v.1). However, despite his hesitancy, and his pleas of unworthiness, he responded and God used him. He led the Israelites out of captivity in Egypt and thru the wilderness where they wandered for 40 years. Yes, there were hardships. Yes, there were groanings and Moses got his fair share of leadership skills challenged with these men and woman who said they wanted freedom- yet also craved the life they lived as slaves back in Egypt. It even looks like a failed mission! Only two made it in to the Promised Land! (Moses not even being one of them…until we see him again on the Mount of Transfiguration with Jesus and Elijah)!

However, through Moses, we see so much about the character of God when we focus less on the character of Moses. We see God’s compassion because He gave them food and drink. He rained down manna from heaven. We get the 10 commandments that shows God’s character of being Just and how He gives us a guide for upright living. We see God’s patience by not annihilating this motley crew in one single sweep! And we are able to connect Moses leading the Hebrews out of captivity with the future Messiah leading His own motley crew to the Promised Land. Only now, the Promised Land filled with milk and honey, does not have an entry point defined by the law, but through Jesus’ Amazing Grace!

 

 You see, we are vessels. We are conduits to deliver messages, lead battles, to speak in His Name.  We are channels to bring Glory to the Lord and to reveal His character here on Earth. If we aren’t on board, because our free will, stubbornness, or feelings of inadequacies hold us back, we are missing not only a blessing of our own (whether here on earth or as our heavenly reward), but we are missing an opportunity for the Lord to get the glory through our obedience.  It’s ALL about HIM!

So how can the character of God be manifested in us? What is the Lord calling you to do? What is it that thing that He has planted deep inside you that only He and you know about? You know….that “thing” that keeps gnawing at you to start. Are you hearing “write”, “move”, “act”, “respond”, “build it in my name”? If you feel ill-equipped and are convinced that God has got the wrong man for the job, just remember; God commissioned a worm and he made a donkey talk. He chose people in the bible that we have made into heroes thousands of years later, but were not really considered as such in Bible days. (I don’t think Gideon would get the “Hero of the day” award hiding in a wine press).  Come out from behind the shadows of inadequacy, my friend. Not so that you are praised for your accomplishments and adored for your bravery.  Jesus, the only One worthy of true praise, wants to be glorified through you!