In His Name Devotionals
WHAT CAN GOD DO THROUGH YOU?
In His Name Devotionals
WHAT CAN GOD DO THROUGH YOU?
S.D. Gordon’s book, “Quiet Talks on Service,” includes a vivid fantasy of what might have occurred the day Jesus returned to heaven at the end of His earthly ministry.
In Gordon’s imaginary account, Christ is met by the angel Gabriel, and the two engage in an illuminating conversation that goes something like this:
“Master, you died for the world down there, did you not?” says Gabriel. “I did.”
“You must have suffered much.” “Yes,” the Lord says. “And do they all know what You did for them?”
“No,” Jesus answers. “Only a few in Palestine know about it so far.” “Master, what have You done about telling the world You died for them?” “I asked Peter, James, John, Andrew and a few others if they’d make it the business of their lives to tell others,” Jesus says. “The ones they tell can tell others, who can tell others until finally it reaches to the corners of the earth and all will know the thrill and power of the Gospel.”
“But suppose Peter fails,” asks Gabriel. “Suppose after a while John just doesn’t tell anybody. And what if James and Andrew are ashamed and afraid?”
“Gabriel, there is no back up plan.”
Even though Gordon’s account is fantasy, the point it makes is true. Christ’s plan, while enormous and far-reaching, was simple, hinging on just a handful of faithful people. He didn’t miraculously reveal Himself to the entire world so they would know the truth—even though He could have.
Instead, He left that responsibility in the hands of the small group of men He chose to be His Apostles. If people were going to hear the Good News, they would have to hear it—at least indirectly—from them. That you or I or anyone we know has ever heard the Gospel stems from the faithfulness and perseverance of those men.
With so much at stake, you might think Christ would have chosen a different plan. At least He might have chosen a different group. The Apostles were nothing special—just a rag-tag assembly of fishermen and tradesmen who suffered the same human faults and foibles as everyone else. Except for Paul, they weren’t highly educated. They had no exceptional speaking skills or leadership abilities. They often spoke out of turn and at times argued among themselves. They sometimes lacked faith and could be painfully slow learners of spiritual truth.
In other words, they were ordinary men. Two thousand years of church history may have put their haloed images on stained glass around the world, but they were, in reality, no different than you and me. Read that again and let it sink in: they were no different than you and me. And yet the Apostles had a greater impact on the world than any other people in history. They ignited the spread of the Gospel and laid the foundation of the church. They became teachers and church planters. They helped write the New Testament. They gave their lives and ultimately, their blood for the Gospel. And as a result, they turned the world upside down.
What was the key to their success? How did that little group of ordinary men generate such a monumental impact on the culture of their day—an impact that resonates two thousand years after their deaths?
The answer has little to do with what the Apostles did for God. Rather, it demonstrates what God did through them. Except for Judas, the lives of the Apostles offer an exciting story of the amazing things God can accomplish through ordinary men and women like you and me.
Can God use the strongest orators; the deepest thinkers; the most popular figures to accomplish His will. Yes, but His worker of choice is a clay pot—the base, under-prepared and unskilled. That’s His pattern, unfolded time and again on the pages of Scripture. God rejects the wisdom of this world and uses the foolish things to advance His kingdom.
Sadly, too many of us never grasp this important principle. We let opportunities to minister pass us by because we think we lack the skills to make an impact. We’re not exceptional speakers, so we don’t speak. We’re not great leaders, so we don’t try to lead. We’re not strong teachers, so we don’t teach. We miss opportunities to make a difference in the lives of the people around us because we don’t believe we’re capable.
And even those who do possess a measure of talent often shrink from spiritual service because they don’t believe they’re spiritually up to the task. They battle sin like everyone else, so they don’t think they’re qualified. They wrestle with doubt and struggle with fear. They grow weary and impatient, letting imperfections discourage them from serving.
What would it take to enhance your usefulness to God? Better communication skills? Stronger leadership abilities? More education?
Does it surprise you that according to Scripture the answer is none of those things?
When it comes to shaping the world for His kingdom, God isn’t looking for the strongest, the most educated, or the most talented. He’s looking for the weak and humble—ordinary people with ordinary faults and weaknesses. In other words, He’s looking for people just like you and me.
If you’re looking for proof and inspiration that you can make a difference for Christ right where you are, look no further than to the lives of the Apostles-common men God used to turn the world upside down.
An intimate character study of the little band of followers Christ selected and shaped to carry out His early ministry clearly reveals ordinary men. Yet, Christ taught, prepared, and equipped them to become the most influential people the world has ever known.
Get to know the men who knew Jesus best. An understanding of how God forged these frail and ordinary people into tools of divine usefulness should renew your sense of what God can do with you and your own raw materials—if you are willing to follow the Master’s model of discipleship.
