When we look around, it’s easy to believe that what the world values most is power, wealth, and status. But, if we don’t tick any of those boxes, can we still be used by God?

We read repeatedly in scripture of God choosing weak, lowly, and insignificant people to accomplish His purposes. There’s David, the smallest of his brothers. Esther, a foreigner who caught the king’s attention. Gideon, the least important person from the least important tribe of Israel. Arguably, all nobodies, hand-selected by God to change the world.

Scripture tells us that we too are chosen, created to do good works that He prepared in advance for us to do (Ephesians 2:10). Before we ever first messed up, disappointed the people around us, failed our parents, our kids, our spouse, our boss – God chose us. If you’re like me you find incredible comfort in these verses.

God chooses regular people like you and me with all our flaws and shortcomings to share the Good News, the incredible gift of forgiveness of sins and life everlasting, that came when Jesus – Immanuel entered the world. The verses we read remind us that God doesn’t need us to be perfect, powerful or successful to accomplish His will. What matters is our willingness to say yes to him, no matter how small, incapable, or insignificant we might feel.

In this season of Advent, we are reminded that God became flesh – an infant, helpless and naked, and born of lowly status. God chose a baby – born to a teenager and a carpenter to bring salvation and redemption to the world. And He chose shepherds – the lowest on the social status rung to be the first to receive the message of His arrival. Surely that is evidence that He can use you and me! He’s equipped you to affect change and share the Good News, the true meaning of Christmas. You are called to be a beacon of light and love, compassion and mercy in the darkness of this world. Your life, your gifts, your faithfulness, even in seemingly small and insignificant ways can be used for His glory.