Die Wahl des Gewöhnlichen

God chose things despised by the world, things counted as nothing at all, and used them to bring to nothing what the world considers important.
—1 Corinthians 1:28

When we think of the people God raised to touch the world, the great apostles whom He used to start the church, we tend to see them in stained glass. And though God powerfully used them, they weren’t superhuman. They were ordinary men whom God used to touch their world.

So, what kind of qualities does God look for in the person that He would use? What kind of person is He searching for? Does the Spirit of God look for different timber, if you will?

One thing is clear in Scripture: It seems as though God intentionally goes out of His way to find individuals who didn’t necessarily look like they would amount to much. He chose people who, at first glance, didn’t appear to even have what it took.

When God was looking for someone to lead the nation of Israel, He selected a shepherd boy named David. When God wanted someone to lead an army to defeat the enemies of Israel, the Midianites, God chose a cowardly man named Gideon who couldn’t even muster the courage to show himself publicly.

Writing to the church in Corinth, the apostle Paul said, “Remember, dear brothers and sisters, that few of you were wise in the world’s eyes or powerful or wealthy when God called you. Instead, God chose things the world considers foolish to shame those who think they are wise. And he chose things that are powerless to shame those who are powerful” (1 Corinthians 1:26–27 NLT).

Paul concludes, “As a result, no one can ever boast in the presence of God” (verse 29 NLT).

If we want to be used by God in any capacity, what must be foremost in our minds and hearts is not obligation, mere duty, or guilt. Rather, we must have a God-given compassion for people.

Maybe you’re thinking, “Jesus felt that way, but I’m not God. I can’t feel that way toward people.” Yet isn’t it God’s objective to conform us to the image of His Son (see Romans 8:29)?

Philippians 2:5 says, “You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had” (NLT). Therefore, should we not seek to imitate the Lord and have compassion?

Throughout Scripture and the history of the church, we find that God has done unexpected things with unexpected people. He has done extraordinary things through ordinary people. And the Bible tells us, “The eyes of the Lord search the whole earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him” (2 Chronicles 16:9 NLT).

Notice this doesn’t say that God is looking for strong people; it says that He is looking for people on whose behalf He can be strong. God is not looking for ability as much as He is looking for availability.

Would you be willing to say, “Lord, I don’t have much to offer. But what I have, Lord, I offer to You”? If you are willing to say that, then watch what God will do.