In a local church circular, I came across an article written by a Bobbi Friedrich. Bobbi asks if you think you are qualified to be a disciple for Jesus, and then lists a group of famous people from the Bible who are flawed in some way, but were picked by God to do His work. If you, as all of us do, have some problems, and because of these problems, do not think you are worthy to be a disciple of Christ, or if you think you will not measure up to work for God, and wonder how could God possibly use you - then read the following. It adds some perspective about who is qualified to do God's work.
"Consider:
Noah was a drunk. Abraham was too old. Isaac was a daydreamer. Jacob was a liar. Joseph was abused. Moses had a stuttering problem. Gideon was afraid. Sampson had long hair and was a womanizer. Rahab was a prostitute. Jeremiah was a laughingstock. David had an affair and he was a murderer. Elijah was suicidal. Jonah ran from God. Peter denied Christ. The Disciples fell asleep while praying. Martha worried about everything. The Samaritan woman was divorced more than once. Paul was too religious. Timothy had an ulcer. And here is a real problem: Lazarus was dead!
The next time you feel like God can't use you, just remember that the real qualification you need is an open heart and a willing spirit. Allow God to use you as He wishes, and trust that His grace will complete the work begun in you. Work in the Lord's vineyard is never done, every ministry needs help. Can you sing? Play a musical instrument? Read well? Work well with children? No? Well, then how about sponsoring someone into the church, that just takes companionship. Or how about becoming a minister of care and visit the homebound. Ask around, there's a niche just waiting for you to fill. Help is wanted!"
By George Konig
January 8, 2006
www.georgekonig.org
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