Our world has a pecking order that is based on money, power, race, beauty, popularity, education, occupation and where one fits in the socio-economic strata. It has always been that way in a fallen world. But there is another world - the Kingdom of God - where those rules don’t apply. Jesus has a way of turning conventional wisdom and practice on its head and this area is no exception.

Writing to the Corinthian church in 1 Corinthians 1:26-31, Paul writes this. “Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him. It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. Therefore, as it is written: ‘Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.’”

God doesn’t play by man's rules. Or Hollywood’s. Take Mother Teresa, that tiny woman who worked exclusively among the poorest of the poor in Calcutta. She was from a place almost no one knows - in what was, at the time Yugoslavia, who became one of the most famous Roman Catholic nuns and a missionary to India. Yet, this poor, tiny woman, with no money and no power and no social standing ended up telling the wealthy and powerful truth about God, His values and His love and compassion. As Paul said, “God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things - and the things that are not - to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before Him.”

God uses ordinary people to do extraordinary things. That was true of David, a shepherd, Paul, a zealot, Timothy, a shy kid, Mother Teresa, and you, and I. He shows His power through people who have no power. He shows His wisdom through people who the world thinks are unsophisticated. Why? Because He is the giver of true life, true wisdom and true power. It is Him working in us that makes the difference. You see it has never been about us but always about Him.

God wants to use you, an ordinary person - today - in ways that please Him. You say, “I am not important.” God says, “That’s the point. It is not about your importance or wisdom or wealth or power. It is about Me who accomplishes my work through you.” All we can say is WOW! He wants to use me! 

There is nothing more satisfying than to be used by God in small or big ways to bring bits of heaven to earth. To show love when others don’t, to help when others cannot be bothered, to speak truth when others are silent and to be the hands and feet of Jesus when others need Him. You may be considered ordinary people but you are God’s people carrying out His work.

Father, I want to thank you for saving me and using me. I am amazed that the God of the universe would not only care about me and adopt and redeem me but then use me to do His work in a world that focuses on wealth, power, and status. Thank you. I am available to be used by you today. Amen.