1 Corinthians 1:26-29 (NIV)
Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wises; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things-and the things that are not-to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him.
Paul reminded the Christians in Corinth that God didn’t save them because of anything that they brought to the table. God didn’t choose to call them and equip them because they were wise by human standards, nor did He look at their influence on society. They weren’t influential people. God didn’t only choose to use those who came from royalty. Instead, He used the “foolish” (or ordinary/simple) things of the world to teach those who the world considered wise.
Over the years, that concept has not changed. Paul wrote these words thousands of years ago, but they apply just as much to us today. God didn’t save us because we brought a lot to the table. He saved us because He loved us. Most of us don’t have some great level of influence over society, and most of us weren’t born into royal families.
However, God still wants to use ordinary people just like He always has. If you are feeling insecure, wondering about whether or not God can use you to fulfill a divine purpose, consider some of these ordinary people who God used to do extraordinary things. You may just find that you’re a next-door hero yourself.
The Young Lady in Naaman’s Story
2 Kings 5:2-3 (NIV)
Now bands of raiders from Aram had gone out and had taken captive a young girl from Israel, and she served Naaman’s wife. She said to her mistress, “If only my master would see the prophet who is in Samaria! He would cure him of his leprosy.”
The story of Naaman, the military leader who had leprosy, primarily revolves around Naaman and Elisha. The Bible teaches us that while Naaman was an important man, the fact that he had leprosy would essentially negate all his accomplishments if he was ever found out. Elisha, the prophet who replaced Elijah, told Naaman to go to the Jordan River so he could submerge himself seven times in the water. Elisha promised Naaman that after the seventh time, he would be healed.
Naaman was angry that Elisha didn’t come out and lay hands on him to heal him, but his servant convinced him to just do what the man of God had said. When you read through the story of Naaman, it’s easy to assume that Elisha is the hero, as he is the one who told Naaman how to be healed. You may even assume that Naaman and his eventual obedience makes him one of the heroes of our story.
However, Naaman would have never gone to Elisha if the young maiden who had been taken as a prisoner of war hadn’t told his wife about the man of God. We don’t know her name, her age, or anything about her background, but we do know that she pointed Naaman in the right direction for the healing that he needed.
When we point people to Christ, we’re taking part in heroic acts. The young maiden in the story didn’t have the power to heal Naaman, but she knew about the man who could. We can’t offer salvation, deliverance, and freedom, but we know the One who can. Be a hero today.
Caleb
Numbers 14:6-7 (NIV)
Joshua son of Nun and Caleb son of Jephunneh, who were among those who had explored the land, tore their clothes and said to the entire Israelite assembly, “The land we passed through and explored is exceedingly good. If the Lord is pleased with us, he will lead us into that land, a land flowing with milk and honey, and will give it to us.”
Before the people of Israel moved into Canaan, the Promised Land that God had told Abraham about generations earlier, they sent 12 spies into the area to see what things looked like. Of the 12 spies, 10 of them came back with dreadful reports. They talked about the giants who populated the area. They spoke about the armies that Israel would have to try to defeat if they ever hoped to move into the area. Out of the entire crowd, only Joshua and Caleb confirmed what God had been telling the people about the area.
Caleb’s faith made him a hero in the story. In Joshua 14:6-15, we find a conversation between Caleb and Joshua. By that time, Caleb was 85 years old, and he simply wanted the territory that Moses had told him he would have one day. Joshua gave him the land according to the promise that God had made to him through Moses.
Caleb was a hero because of his faith, not because of popularity. Joshua and Caleb were the only two who gave a good report, but Joshua eventually took over for Moses. Caleb didn’t. There isn’t a Book of Caleb in the Bible, but there’s a Book of Joshua. Joshua had to give Caleb the land that he was promised.
Heroes don’t have to be in the spotlight. In fact, most Kingdom heroes are people who work tirelessly and faithfully behind the scenes. Their faith makes them heroes, and God sees them, even when others don’t.
Rahab
Hebrews 11:31 (NIV)
By faith the prostitute Rahab, because she welcomed the spies, was not killed with those who were disobedient.
You would be hard pressed to find a less likely hero in the Bible than Rahab. More than 1,000 years after she had helped the Israelite spies get into Jericho, she was still being referred to as Rahab the prostitute. Her occupation is never hidden. Could God really use someone who had such a terrible history?! Would God really think of using someone who was a harlot to get His people into the Promised Land? Yes, He would.
When the Israelite spies went to scout out the land of Jericho, Rahab brought them into her home. Let’s be honest, no one would think anything of a group of men going into Rahab’s house. Everyone knew what shew as. However, when they got there, she immediately told them that she knew that the God of Israel was the true God, and that He was going to give His people that land. Her confession of faith saved her and her family. She also hid the spies when the people of Jericho started looking for them, helping them get out of town without harm.
The ordinary heroes that God chooses to use don’t always have the cleanest backgrounds. However, that doesn’t preclude them from service. If you have some parts of your story that you’d like to forget, God still has a purpose for you. All it takes is faith, courage, and the willingness to trust Him.
A Closing Prayer:
Heavenly Father, I know that You have a purpose for me. Help me to not only find that purpose, but to be bold enough to embrace it. I realize that I don’t have to have an impressive resume to be used for Your Kingdom. Thank You for having glorious purposes for ordinary people. Thank You for not needing me but wanting me anyway. In Christ’s name, Amen.