Why Would God Use Me?
Introduction:
If we are totally honest, we have asked the question, “Why would God use me?” We question why God would choose me, when He would be far better off choosing someone else, or at the very least, not choose anybody rather than choosing me. God should find someone who is a better example of what a Christian really is, who knows the scriptures better, who communicates better, loves better…well you get the idea. There just has to be a better option at God’s disposal.
Bottom Line: You have to step out to find out.
Something To Talk About:
There are many examples in the Bible where God chooses people who are not the best or the brightest to fulfill His purposes. The Bible is full of stories about men, women—and may we remind you, children—who although they seem less than extraordinary, God uses them to do huge exploits. For example:
- God uses the insecure: What comes to mind when you think of Moses? Perhaps you picture Moses and the children of Israel at the crossing of the Red Sea, or leading his people through the desert or perhaps you remember him as somebody with a lot of insecurities, excuses and questions. In Exodus 3:11 he asks God, “who am I” twice. In Exodus 3:13 he basically asks God “who are you?” In Exodus 4:1-9 he asks “what if?” We can probably relate with Moses and with his feelings of inadequacy. There may be an area where God might want to use you, but in which you are holding back, perhaps because you don’t believe you have the right stuff. In Jeremiah 1:4-9, Jeremiah tells God, “O Sovereign Lord,” I said, “I can’t speak for you! I’m too young!” Some of the great leaders in Scripture struggled with the same feelings of inadequacy that we face today. We may in fact be inadequate, but the fact of the matter is that God does not call us to do anything for Him out of our own resources. He calls us to be faithful and to allow Him to work through us.
- God uses the unlikely: Andy Stanley believes that good ideas can come from the most unlikely source because he has experienced it. Andy tells the story that took place at a Catalyst Conference attended by a large group of pastors from around the country. Andy was talking about a problem at Northpoint and a pastor from a very small church said this is what they do. It would seem unlikely that a small group with limited resources would think of a solution that his megachurch did not, but that is exactly what happened and that idea was implemented at Northpoint. What we need to remember is that the value society places on people makes no difference to God. In fact, it seems that God would rather use very common, even despised people to make a difference in this world. Why does God use unlikely people? Remember the story of Samuel who thought the most impressive of Jesse’s sons would be the king? God, however had other ideas. It doesn’t matter who we are or what we have done God can use us to make a difference for His Kingdom. God isn’t looking for people with lots of money, jaw dropping good looks, or with lots of degrees hanging on the wall. He is looking for ordinary people who are willing to put their trust in Him. God loves using unlikely people just like you and me.
- God uses the broken: Have you ever felt discarded? Used? Worthless? Unimportant? Have you wondered how God can use someone in a broken state. That’s what God does. He takes our lives that are broken, used up, outdated, and seemingly useless, and repurposes us. He gives us new life and makes us more beautiful than before. He sometimes finds us in life’s scrap pile and thinks, “I can find new life and uses for this.” When everyone else sees someone worth discarding, God sees potential. In Isaiah 41, God had strong words for Israel. They had fallen away and were scattered. They were a people who were broken and seemingly of little use, but God sees it differently. In verse 9 He said, “I have called you back from the ends of the earth, saying, ‘You are my servant.’ For I have chosen you and will not throw you away” In verse 10, He goes on to say, “Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.” Not only does He see your life as valuable and worthy of repurposing, He’s going to give you strength, help, and victory for the transition. God can make something beautiful and useful no matter how broken we may seem.
Discussion Questions:
- Describe a time when you felt like God couldn’t use you. Why did you feel that way?
- What excuses do we sometimes use in not making the most out of the life God has given us?
- Who are some unlikely people you’ve seen God use in big ways? What can you learn from the way God has used them?
- God can do anything, so why is hard to believe that He can do things through us?
- Describe a time when you felt like God did use you. How does it make you feel knowing that God wants to use you to do something significant?
- What types of insecurities do you struggle with most? How have your insecurities hindered God from using you?
- How do you think God could use your brokenness to affect others in a positive way?
- What responsibility do we have to be available for God to work through us?
Take one thing home with you:
So often we question God’s choices or his ability to gauge people’s talents. We question why God didn’t choose to give us certain abilities or talents and we question why he didn’t give us other abilities. As a result, we feel unqualified for specific fields of ministry God seems to be calling us into. We think to ourselves, “God, if you wanted me to do this, why didn’t you give me the skills and talents to do that?” We need to remember that God does not use us because we are able, He uses us because we are available.
God chooses to use imperfect people like us, and a large number of other imperfect people, to display His love to the world. In fact, sometimes He does the most remarkable things through the least likely people so the credit goes to Him and not us. We just need to step out in faith. Yes, this is scary. Yes, I don’t always know the entire plan or the outcome. But He can do amazing things when ordinary people trust Him and step out.