Sometimes, I wonder how God could ever use me. I have a sinful past. Even though I am a Christian now, I still make mistakes. I’m an average woman, wife, and mom. I am not a public speaker. I don’t have any formal writing or Biblical training. Who am I to think I could help God further His kingdom?
Friend, if similar thoughts have intimidated you and kept you from sharing God’s love, it’s time to shine the light of God’s truth on them. Because the only one whispering these lies into your mind is the enemy. The enemy will do and say anything to keep the world from knowing about God and the salvation we receive through Jesus.
God uses Common, Imperfect People
God uses ordinary, imperfect people to accomplish his grand plans. A perfect example is Moses. After he had murdered an Egyptian man and was hiding in the desert, God called him to rescue the Israelites from slavery. Moses even dared to question God. But I love God’s answer and reassurance. “But Moses said to God, ‘Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?’ And God said, ‘I will be with you’” (Exodus 3:11-12, NIV).
The Bible is full of ordinary, sinful people who thought, “Who am I?”. But God used them to accomplish great things.
- Moses was a murderer hiding in the desert. But God used him to lead the Israelites from slavery in Egypt.
- Sarah was a barren old woman. Yet, called made her a mother whose descendants were as numerous as the stars.
- Rahab was a prostitute. But God used her to help hide Joshua’s spies, allowing the Israelites to conquer Jericho.
- David was an insignificant shepherd boy. But God helped him defeat Goliath and anointed him as King of Israel. Later, he committed adultery and murder. However, God called him a man after his own heart.
- Esther was an orphan living in captivity. But God made her queen and used her to save her people.
- Paul persecuted and murdered Christians. Yet God used him to share the gospel and write nearly half of the New Testament.
Who Am I? I Am Created For a Purpose
Dear one, the truth is, God has created each of us uniquely, with a special purpose in mind. “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do” (Ephesians 2:10, NIV). God gave us different gifts and talents to fulfill various roles in His kingdom (Romans 12:6).
God’s Spirit Will Help Us
But here’s the best part: God doesn’t expect us to walk out our calling alone. “For it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose” (Philippians 2:13, NIV). All we must do is pray and lean into His Holy Spirit. He will empower, teach, and remind us of all we need to know (John 14:26).
We don’t have to worry about not having what it takes. God works best when we feel ill-equipped or weak. Even Paul begged God to remove the thorn in his flesh, but God reminded him of the source of strength. “But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me” (2 Corinthians 12:9 NIV).
The Greek word for “sufficient” here is arkei, which implies endurance and strength. Thus, God’s grace strengthens us and gives us endurance when we are weak. We are directed to “gladly boast” about our weakness so Christ’s power can dwell in or work through us. Thus, God’s miraculous power becomes evident to all because when His good plans come to pass, it is clearly not because of what we’ve done, but from God.
No More Saying, “Who Am I?”
So, friend, rather than questioning God’s call and asking, “Who am I?” we can remember that God’s answer to our fear, inability, and inadequacy is to rely on Him rather than ourselves. So, let’s respond like Mary, a simple teenager who became the mother of Jesus. “For nothing will be impossible with God…I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word” (Luke 1:37-37, ESV).
