THE PEOPLE GOD IS LOOKING FOR

”For ye see your calling, brethren, how  that not many wise men after the  flesh, not many mighty, not many  noble, are called: But God hath  chosen the foolish things of the world  to confound the wise; and God hath  chosen the weak things of the world  to confound the things which are  mighty.” 1 Corinthians 1:26-27

WHO IS GOD LOOKING FOR?

A radio station was making phone calls to all the homes in the area to get some feedback from the local residents. One of those calls ended in a very humorous conversation with a little boy. This is how that conversation went . . .

Little boy (whispering): “Hello.”


Caller: “Hello, This is WKJR Radio. I was wondering if I could speak to your mother?” 

Little boy (whispering): “She’s busy.” 

Caller: “Oh, well then could I speak to your father?”

Little boy (whispering): “He’s busy too.” 

Caller: “Well, is there any adult there I could speak to?”


Little boy (whispering): “The police are here.” 

Caller: “Goodness, could I speak to one of the officers?”


Little boy (whispering): “They’re busy.” 

Caller: “There must be somebody there I could speak to?”


Little boy (whispering): “The firemen are here.” 

Caller: “Son, please let me speak to one of the firemen.” 

Little boy (whispering): “They’re all busy.”


Caller: “Look, I think I really should speak to somebody, what is everybody doing that’s making them so busy?” 

Little boy (whispering): “They’re looking for me.“

ARE YOU THE ONE GOD IS LOOKING FOR?

 In our verses for today, Paul was telling the Corinthian believers that God was looking for those who would answer His call to be used for His glory. He admonished the church at Corinth to stop making excuses as to why the Lord couldn’t use them. As a pastor, I can just imagine some of their excuses. I’m sure they were saying things like, “God can’t use me. Look at my past life!” Or, “I’m not educated or have the ability to speak in front of people like Paul. How could the Lord use me?” Maybe they were saying, “I don’t know the Bible well enough and, besides, I’ve not been a Christian for very long. The Lord couldn’t possibly use me!” And on and on… But the mistake of the believers in Corinth is the same many make today. They were looking in the mirror instead of looking to the Master! The fact is no one person has ever done anything worthwhile for the Lord. But the Lord has done many amazing things through countless individuals who were yielded to Him!

ENOUGH WITH THE EXCUSES ALREADY!  

I see this attitude in people all the time. It’s an attitude that says, “Well, I’m not sure God could use me. I can’t do much. I’ll just serve Him in my poor little ole weak way.” That kind of attitude is insulting to God! We need to stop with that kind of thinking! That’s not humility, that’s just self pity! God doesn’t want anyone to serve Him in their ‘poor little ole weak way!’ The Lord wants to take ordinary people, like you and me, and do extraordinary things through our lives! He wants to use common people. That’s why He made so many of us!

CHECK GOD’S RECORD! 

He’s done it since the beginning of time. Go through the Bible and read again of Rahab, the prostitute; Gideon and his few men; the little boy, Samuel; Ruth, the widow; David, the shepherd boy; Esther, the orphan; Matthew, the cheating tax collector; The little lad with a little lunch; Saul, a persecutor and murderer of Christians; Peter, the denier; John Mark, the deserter . . .  Should I go on? Why are all of the great stories of these men and women in the Bible for us to read about? It’s true to show us that in spite of who they were and their past failures, God used them to do incredible things! And the Lord is saying, “I’ll do the same today with anyone who will surrender in faith to Me!”

IT’S NOT ABOUT YOU!

It’s not your fame, it’s your faith! It’s not your abilities, it’s your availability! It’s not who you are, it’s Whose you are that counts! God has always chosen to take what the world calls a weak message . . . combine it with a weak messenger . . . and mix those two together with His love, power and wisdom. What will be the result? A life that is used for His glory! Remember…if you feel you’re too weak, unable, and unworthy to be used by the Lord, congratulations! You’re exactly who He’s looking for! Your weakness is the starting place, not the quitting place! Surrender to Him completely today! Get ready for Him to use you! You’re just who He’s looking for! 

Think it over . . .

Doug Pierce is a Church planter and a pastor. In 2003 he started, and continues to pastor First Independent Methodist Church in Madison, Mississippi. His #1 priority is to glorify God in all aspects of ministry. He does this through teaching his congregation to Love God, Love One Another, and Love Others to God. Prayer, outreach, and church growth through evangelism are vital parts of his ministry. He and his wife Suzanne live in Madison, Mississippi where they also enjoy their children and grandchildren.

Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay