Monday February 28,2011

In my reading this morning I have begun to think of a pattern of leaders God chose to lead his people and to do his work. Think of Moses as God asked him to lead the nation out of Egypt. When God called him from the burning bush, Moses referenced his being in the least tribe of Israel and his family.

When God called Gideon, Gideon made reference to his being in a tribe that lacked prominence. Jephthah when he was called to be a judge compared himself to a thistle as he compared the other potential leaders as trees/vines. And yet we come to another person being called by God to lead His people.

Today as I was reading I Samuel 9, another leader is being chosen who had an inferiority complex. Samuel, the prophet and judge at that time was asked by God to choose a king for the nation of Israel because they wanted to be like every other nation. Saul was the one chosen by God and yet Saul had a similar self deprevation when it came to discussing his qualifications. Saul answered, “But am I not a Benjamite, from the smallest tribe of Israel, and is not my clan the least of all the clans of the tribe of Benjamin? Why do you say such a thing to me?” I Sam. 9:22

As I contemplate Gods’ choices to give direction to His plan for the world and for His people, it would seem that He chooses those who are weak because of past failures and mistakes. Those He wants are individuals have had self knocked out of them and are vessels that He can pour His power and wisdom in. Paul rejoiced in his weaknesses because he said, “When I am weak, then I am strong.” II Cor. 12:10.

It puts a new spin on how I have begun to look at mistakes, failures and limitations in our lives. Those may be just the things that God uses to prepare us to be used by Him for His purposes. Something to ponder. New insights as we contemplate our past and future journey