We all know our our own shortcomings, failures and bad habits and if truth be told we can often be afraid that if someone else gets too close they will see these things and then have every reason to reject us.
Because of that we ask ourselves ourselves. “Why would anyone want to have anything to do with me if they really knew what I was like?” Yet God doesn’t seem to take what we may think of ourselves into account when He comes knocking. The list of those who stand out as being what we might think an unusual choice for God to even notice, let alone use to do amazing things in and through their lives, is endless.
Just picking up a bible will reveal that God doesn’t just look at what people do or even achieve. We often are prone to look at outward appearances; how smart, attractive, clean living, successful, and even “spiritual” people are, yet that doesn’t seem to be all that God sees when you examine some of the accounts of the men and women who became friends of God. Men like Abraham who was a pagan, sun worshipper who God called to follow Him, Rahab, the town prostitute who not only slept around, but got paid for it; King David who one minute was playing worship songs out in the fields and the next minute can be found committing adultery with a woman which resulted in her getting pregnant, and then organising to have her actual husband killed in battle to cover his own tracks. Mary Magdalene who was demonically afflicted, Zacchehus who was a thief and a cheat, Peter who was a loud, bumbling fisherman, and a crazy possessed man who hid naked in a cemetery. (Gen 12; 2 Sam 11:1-27; Joshua 2; Luke 8:1-3; Luke 19:1-10; Matt 14:18-22; Mark 56:1-20)
All these people were not the type you would expect God to want or choose to use to do great things and yet their stories and lives are recorded as being exactly whom and what God wanted. Why? Simply because God looks not only at the things we do and appear to be, but He also looks at our hearts. The condition of our hearts is what is most important to Him and all He asks is, “Do you want me, and the life I have to offer you?”
Because He offers it with an outstretched hand for us to walk with Him step by step. He doesn’t expect us to be perfect, or to never make a mistake, but simply to do our very best to follow after and get to know Him, and to then learn from Him how to live the abundant life He wants for us. (John 10:10)
The choice is ours everyday, even if it feels like a risk, to not keep questioning and beating ourselves up about our failings but instead to choose to follow Him; because to put it very simply, He does want us!
“But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height.. The LORD does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7)
“Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” (Matthew 11:28-29 NLT)
Prayer: Jesus even though sometimes its difficult to understand why you would want me, I’m choosing to believe you do, because you gave up your life for me. Help me to choose the life you offer me and then please help me to walk with you everyday. In Jesus name Amen.
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