Today’s reading from Judges 9–10 and Luke 5:17-39 invites us to consider how God works through unexpected people and situations, shaping identity and purpose over time rather than relying on outward qualification. Both passages reveal the tension between human expectations and God’s way of working through imperfect individuals.

In Judges 9–10, leadership and authority are mishandled through ambition and self-interest, revealing what happens when people pursue power apart from God’s direction. These chapters highlight the consequences of misplaced identity and the need for God’s intervention when His people lose their way.

In Luke 5, Jesus calls Levi, a tax collector, into a completely new life, showing that His invitation is not based on worthiness, but on willingness to follow. Levi’s immediate response and his desire to bring others into the presence of Jesus reflect how calling begins to reshape identity and relationships from the inside out.

Together, these passages invite us to reflect on how we view ourselves and others in light of God’s calling. They encourage us to consider where we may be disqualifying ourselves, and to remain open to the way Jesus continues to call and form people who are willing to follow Him.