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We now have this light shining in our hearts, but we ourselves are like fragile clay jars containing this great treasure. This makes it clear that our great power is from God, not from ourselves.

—2 Corinthians 4:7

Although the apostles were gifted and dedicated, they also were ordinary. Jesus did not call them because they were great. Their greatness was the result of the call of Jesus.

As followers of Christ, we recognize in ourselves that we are sinners separated from God. But we also recognize that when Christ came into our lives, He gave us value.

The Bible tells us, “We now have this light shining in our hearts, but we are like fragile clay jars containing this great treasure. This makes it clear that our great power is from God, not from ourselves” (2 Corinthians 4:7 NLT).

With a new confidence and boldness, we have something to offer. But it isn’t self-confidence; it’s God-confidence. It isn’t self-esteem; it’s God-esteem. We were sinners who rebelled against God, but God graciously forgave us and took us into His kingdom.

Each of the apostles was so different. They were holy men of God, but they also messed up sometimes. They had their great accomplishments and victories but also their shortcomings and defeats. But God used them anyway.

The great Simon Peter was a man of bravery, courage, and deep conviction. He stood by his Lord. But he also could be impulsive and hotheaded. He was so utterly human.

In contrast to Peter’s impulsiveness, Thomas was steady. He has been wrongly characterized as a doubter when, in reality, he was more of a skeptic. He was the kind of a person who didn’t let others do his thinking for him. He wanted to know things for himself.

Then there was John. He was compassionate, but he also had a temper. Jesus nicknamed John and his brother, James, the “Sons of Thunder” (Mark 3:17 NLT).

The apostles were people we can relate to. And they were valuable because of what Jesus did in their lives.

God wrote His name on you when you gave your life to Christ. He has invested Himself in you, giving you gifts and abilities. That is where your value comes from. And that is why you can make a difference.

Sadly, it seems as though the church today could be compared to a professional football game with sixty thousand people watching in the stadium while twenty-two people do all the work. We stand cheering from our seats, but God is saying, “I want you down on the field. I want you to carry the ball. I want you to be a part of what I am doing.”

You may be a Peter, a Thomas, or a John. But God wants to use you. And He has a place for you, a part for you to play, a seed for you to sow, and a call for you to answer.

God may call you to cross the sea as a missionary, or He may call you to cross the street and share the gospel with your neighbor. But what you need to say is, “Lord, I am available.”