Serving God can be intimidating. We might feel too weak or insignificant for God to use us. We might be hurt and broken, making us wonder if we can ever really do something for Jesus.

I know the feeling. Sometimes I look at my mistakes, brokenness, and weakness and worry that God can never use me. The truth is, though, we don’t have to be perfect, whole, or strong to serve God. He wants to use us right where we are because it brings glory to His name.

No One Is Insignificant in God’s Eyes

You are not insignificant to God. It doesn’t matter what others say about you. It doesn’t matter how many times you stumble. You are God’s precious creation and treasured child, and He has a plan for you. Paul reminds Timothy of this truth in his second epistle to the young mentee:

“Who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began.” 2 Timothy 1:9 (ESV)

This verse is very clear: every Christian has a holy calling from God, not because of our merits or anything we have done, but because of His grace and the marvelous purpose He planned for us before we were even born! He wants to use each of us for His glory.

Although I know this is true, I still struggle with feeling insignificant sometimes. After all, I’ve never done anything extraordinary. I’ve felt worthless and overlooked more times than I can count, and sometimes it’s hard to believe that God could use me to accomplish much of anything.

Maybe you feel the same way. Let me tell you something though: God wants to work through His broken children. He doesn’t choose you for your own worthiness. He chooses you because He is gracious and because He loves you.

Our Strength Comes Not from Ourselves but from God

Sometimes, I worry that I’m too weak to serve God. I fear I can’t become good enough or strong enough to do what God calls me to do. Sound familiar? However, I’ve come to realize that I don’t have to be. Jesus is good enough and strong enough, and His strength is sufficient!

In fact, if I try to “be enough” on my own, I will ultimately fail. Jesus made it clear to His disciples that the only way to bear fruit for God is by abiding in Him.

“Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. … for apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15:4-5 (ESV)

We don’t serve God on our own, but by the power of Christ within us. It doesn’t matter how weak or inadequate you feel; by abiding in Christ and letting His Spirit work in you, you can be used mightily by God.

This is such a reassuring thought! God even used it to encourage Zerubbabel, who led a group of Jews back to Jerusalem after the seventy-year Babylonian captivity. Zerubbabel was facing discouragement, but God sent a prophet to encourage him with these words:

“Then he said to me, ‘This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the LORD of hosts.’” Zechariah 4:6 (ESV)

If you have put your trust in Jesus, the Holy Spirit is in you! His power is far greater than anything you might face, and it’s through His power alone that we can be instruments of God’s work.

Acts chapter four gives a great example of this. The apostles Peter and John had just been arrested for teaching about Jesus. They were brought before a council of the rulers, elders, scribes, and the high priest’s family. This was the first time any member of the new church had been arrested for following Jesus, and it must have been intimidating for the apostles. Peter, however, filled with the Holy Spirit, stood up and boldly preached the Gospel to the council! Now read the leaders’ reaction—God used the apostles powerfully!

“Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus.” Acts 4:13 (ESV)

The Greek word used here for “common” is the same word from which we get the English word “idiot.” The leaders weren’t paying the disciples much of a compliment! It didn’t matter, though, that Peter and John were thought of as common or ignorant. It didn’t matter that they were uneducated. They had been with Jesus. That’s what gave them the strength and boldness to stand for Him: His strength alone.

God Loves to Work through Unlikely People

God loves to choose the outcast and the unexpected. Throughout the Bible, you can see this in action with Jacob, Moses, Gideon, Ruth, David, Peter, and all the disciples. Over and over again, God used flawed and ordinary people to accomplish His great purpose. He didn’t choose them because they were smart, or strong, or good in and of themselves; He chose them because of their weaknesses. Wait…what?

Yep! Paul discusses this in his first letter to the Corinthian church:

“For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong;” 1 Corinthians 1:26-27 (ESV)

Why would God choose the weakest? Well, His power is best displayed when He uses those who have none of their own. His strength is made perfect in weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9-10). What’s more, it is usually the weakest who are willing to trust Him enough to let Him work through them, and that’s what He’s looking for.

I’ve seen this many times in my own life. During the times I feel the weakest and most wilted, I see God’s power move far beyond what I could ever do on my own. In my greatest struggles, I witness God do His greatest work through me.

God can use your weaknesses for His glory, too. Have your struggles ever helped you encourage others who are walking through the same thing? Have your fears ever pushed you to rely more on Christ? This is one of the biggest paradoxes of the Christian life. In Christ, our weaknesses become our greatest strengths.

So if you’re struggling today, Rose, take heart! God isn’t looking for perfect people; He’s looking for a willing heart through which His power can work. Don’t worry that you’re not good enough—step out and serve God with all that you are. Even in your weaknesses.

“My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.”  Psalm 73:26 (ESV)

Have you ever felt unable to be used by God? How does it make you feel to know that God wants to work through your weaknesses?

Comment below, Roses, and let’s uplift one another!

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