Who Does God Chose?

Why does God so often choose the people you would least expect to do His work?

God chose Moses, a man who stuttered, to lead His people from slavery to freedom.

God chose Jacob, a cheat and deceiver, to father His favored nation.

God chose David, an adulterer and murderer, to lead His nation to victory after victory over those who threatened Israel.

God chose Mary, a young woman not yet married, to bring His Son into the world.

God chose Peter, an uneducated fisherman, to carry on His teachings after Jesus returned to Heaven.

And God didn’t stop with those we read about in the Bible. He continues to use people we would least expect to do His work.

God chose our friend, Bryan Mann, a fist-fighting, drug dabbling, giant of a man, who barely tried in high school, to achieve a doctorate in divinity and preach the gospel in churches throughout Pennsylvania.

God chose Amy Ford, an unwed mother, to start Embrace Grace, a non-profit that inspires and equips the church to love on single and pregnant young women and their families.

God chose our son-in-law, a convicted drug dealer, user, and alcoholic, to minister to those struggling with drug and alcohol addictions.

Why did God choose these people? They felt God’s nudge and obeyed.

There were no education requirements, special gifts, ability tests, or references necessary. Put simply, these faithful servants of God were broken and relatable, they realized God is at work in our world and in themselves, they willingly wanted to serve God, and they genuinely loved others—characteristics that literally could apply to anyone—including you and me! Ephesians 6:7 says, “Serve willingly, as if you were serving the Lord and not merely people.” Are we willing? If so, God can use us in ways we least expect.

Be encouraged!

Comments welcome at writepam71@gmail.com

©2024 Pamela D. Williams.

Faith and Family

Thanksgiving is family time—and just maybe a time to share our faith. However, the thought of witnessing for Jesus, especially to family and friends, can be very daunting. Perhaps that is because we are short-sighted about what witnessing really is.

Maybe we envision waving a floppy Bible in their face and accosting them with, “Are you born again?” Or maybe we think witnessing is cornering a loved one resistant to faith in Jesus and sharing with them the steps of salvation—whether they are ready to listen or not.

While those approaches may be what is needed in some situations, I think Jesus gave us an alternative method in the story of the man delivered from evil spirits.

A man was possessed by demons that made him insanely wild and dangerously unapproachable. After Jesus cast out the demons, and the man was clothed and in his right mind, Jesus told him, “Go home to your family and tell them how much the Lord has done for you and how kind he has been to you.” (Mark 6:19)

Easy to do? No! After all, they know us—both the good and the bad. However, we also know them; we already have a relationship with the person. We love and care about them deeply. So, how do we go about sharing faith in Jesus with them?

Andrew Swafford, associate professor of theology at Benedictine College, offers “Seven Tips for Evangelizing Family and Friends”. I urge you to read his entire article at Ascension Press, but to summarize it:

Tip 1: Be yourself. ...

Tip 2: Be brief. ...

Tip 3: Assume you'll get another chance. ...

Tip 4: Make your goal just one step at a time. ...

Tip 5: Bring God into the conversation. ...

Tip 6: Don't be defensive. ...

Tip 7: Pray.

That’s doable! This Thanksgiving (or anytime) let’s do what Jesus said and tell our loved ones how much the Lord has done for us and how kind He has been to us.

Be encouraged!

©2024 Pamela D. Williams.

Comments welcome at writepam71@gmail.com