You wonder if God can use you?

I was talking with a friend who told me things like “There are far more worthy people than me” and “I hardly know the Bible, why would God use me?” I told him that because he’s told God he was willing to be used, God will – regardless of his own limitations.

I reminded him about Peter. Peter was a fisherman. He was probably not a rich man. All he had was the standard training in the Law, psalms and prophets that every good Jewish boy had, and an invitation to follow an itinerant teacher named Jesus, which he accepted.

Peter followed. Peter watched as Jesus taught, healed, and cast out demons. Peter probably wondered if he was capable of doing the same thing when Jesus sent the 12 out in Luke 9. Peter said foolish things like “If it’s you, Lord, tell me to come to you” – what was Jesus supposed to say besides “Come”?

Peter didn’t follow perfectly. We know he argued with Jesus. We know that after walking on the water a ways, he looked at his surroundings and sank. We know he denied Jesus. We know he questioned his own worthiness after the resurrection.

But it was Peter’s willingness to follow and learn – not his natural talents, not his skills, not his education – that set him up as a leader in the early Church. His message on the day of Pentecost resulted in 3,000 conversions (Acts 2).

What’s stopping you? Your circumstances? Fear? Or your willingness?

Doug