Choosing people to serve Christ... don't judge a book by it's cover.
Have you ever had a time at work when, someone got promoted and when the
announcement was made you were stunned? I mean, you were STUNNED...SHOCKED.
I guess we've all had those moments.
When you hear WHO was promoted you think, "How in the world?"
You might even conclude, "Well, just goes to show, it's not WHAT you know but WHO
you know."
Recently I was reading a section of John's gospel where Jesus was choosing his
disciples. I've read that text numerous times.. but this time, I saw something different.
I've been thinking about.. praying about... learning about church planting in recent weeks
and one of the first things you do in church planting is build a core group. As I read about
Jesus selecting the disciples I realized that Jesus was selecting His core group. Now,
let's look at two of the ones Jesus selected...
Matthew... a tax collector... didn't have the best reputation...BUT, was used to write The
Gospel of Matthew.
Peter... had a tendency to talk when he needed to be quiet... had "foot in the mouth
disease" but, preached the first Christian sermon in history in Acts 2.
Now let's be honest; would YOU have chosen Peter and Matthew? I mean, I could
here a conversation in a committee meeting of most any church when those names
came up...
"Someone nominated Matthew. Can you BELIEVE this? Matthew of all people."
"Yes, that is ridiculous.. we can't have someone with Matthew's reputation serving...
It wouldn't reflect well."
"Agreed... next name!"
"Someone nominated Peter"
"Are you serious? Peter! Mr. 'foot in the mouth'"
"Yep, I thought the same thing when I saw his name."
"Well, I think we ALL know that Peter has a MAJOR tendency to say things he
shouldn't say. We couldn't trust him to keep things confidential."
Now, if you are honest with me, that hypothetical conversation is not far from reality.
Yet, Jesus looked BEYOND the flaws of Matthew and Peter and other disciples... and
saw their potential. He did the same with me. He looked beyond my flaws and called me
any way. He did the same with you.
The fact is, no one is perfect. No one. We all have flaws.
So, if you have been asked to serve and you are hesitant because you know your
flaws well, don't be cause Jesus knew your flaws before He led someone to ask you.
And, if someone has suggested a certain person for a position of service and they
have asked you about them and you immediately thought of the flaws in the person's
life that you feel disqualifies them remember that you have flaws to. We all do.
I am so glad Jesus chose me in spite of my flaws.
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