(1 Cor 1:26-29) For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called. 27 But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; 28 and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are, 29 that no flesh should glory in His presence.
Growing up, did you ever want to be a part of the in-crowd but felt excluded from all those popular and beautiful people? Did you always feel like you were on the outside looking in? Were you usually chosen second down to last when it came to groups, sports, etc.? Maybe you’ve always felt just average and that you could never be with the first-class crowd. Then welcome to God’s B team!
The Lord loves to take what is humble and ordinary and turn it into something worthwhile for His glory. Think of the disciples. They were just plain old Joes but these are who the Lord picked to be on His team. Fishermen, a zealot, a tax collector, just the rank and file of commonplace individuals that never stood out in a crowd. But they were chosen to be with Him and to pass on the gospel to the world.
I think of the Calvary Chapel movement and how God has used ex-hippies and drug dealers to pastor some of the finest churches in the nation. I think of those in church history, as well as currently, that God has raised up to make a dent for the Kingdom. You look at them and just marvel that God has used them so mightily and effectively. No charisma, no personal magnetism, just people of clay. (2 Cor 4:7) But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us.
Mary felt so unworthy to be the mother of the Messiah. (Luke 1:48-49) For He has regarded the lowly state of His maidservant; For behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed. 49 For He who is mighty has done great things for me, And holy is His name. (Luke 1:52-53) He has put down the mighty from their thrones, And exalted the lowly. 53 He has filled the hungry with good things, And the rich He has sent away empty.
God is looking for an individual He can use for His special purposes. You might be used up front or perhaps in the background. But who cares? It’s all for His glory anyway. (2 Chronicles 16:9) For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him . . .
God uses the humble and brings down the proud. God’s B team is really His A team. It’s just that the world doesn’t recognize what true greatness is all about. (1 Pet 5:5-6; Mat 20:20-28)
Louie