Is it possible that the very limitations and handicaps in my life are the key to usefulness in the service of God? – Alistair Begg
I was reading this afternoon and this quote jumped off the page at me. I’ve often looked at my struggles – my physical limitations or things I’m not good at – and thought, If I didn’t have these, I could do more for God. But what if those weaknesses are exactly what God wants to use? What if the things we think hold us back are actually the means that God uses to work through us in simple, everyday ways?
I think of Moses. He wasn’t the greatest speaker. In Exodus 4:10, he tells God, “I’m not good enough with words.” Moses thought his speech problem made him a useless leader. But God didn’t fix his speech… instead, he gave Moses his brother Aaron to help him talk, and Moses led the Israelites by listening to God and taking one step at a time. His weakness didn’t stop him – it kept him close to God, making him a great leader.
Then there’s Gideon. In Judges 6:15, he tells God, “But my clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am least in my family.” Gideon came from a small, insignificant family and thought, “there’s no way I can lead these people.” But God didn’t choose someone powerful or well-known. He used Gideon’s smallness to show His strength, guiding him to lead a tiny army of 300 men to defeat a huge enemy. Gideon’s lack of status made him rely on God’s power and purpose, and that’s what made him useful.
And finally, we remember young Timothy, who probably felt out of his league as a leader in the early church. Paul encourages him, “Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young.” Timothy might’ve seen his youth as a weakness, thinking people wouldn’t take him seriously. But God used his youth to connect him with others in a unique way. Timothy didn’t need to be older or more experienced – he just needed to be faithful, teaching and encouraging others with humility. His everyday work of sharing God’s truth, despite his youth, built up the early church.
God doesn’t need you to be perfect. He just needs you to be willing.
Friend, it’s easy for us to look at our limitations and weaknesses. I lack confidence… I don’t have much money… I’ve got this physical handicap… I’m not a good speaker… and think they make you useless to God. But we don’t see things the way God sees them. Maybe your struggles make you the perfect person to listen to someone who’s hurting from something similar, providing you an opportunity to share your experience and hope, and show others how to trust God.
Your weaknesses aren’t in God’s way, they might actually be part of His plan. Like Moses, your struggles can keep you leaning on God. Like Gideon, your humility can reveal God’s power in simple ways. Like Timothy, your age can open doors to connect with others in a way that someone else might not be able to.
So ask God today to show you how He can use your everyday life, even with your weaknesses, and He will!
Are you willing?
Former Blackout Artist 