“But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong.” (1 Cor. 1:27).
Do you ever question God’s love or Christ’s desire for you to follow him? I think we all do. We, at least in our minds, have a vision of what these earlier followers of Christ must have been like, and we come up short.
One of the striking things about The Chosen is how ordinarily human the disciples feel. They’re not presented as saints with glowing halos and perfect faith. They’re fishermen trying to pay bills. They have tempers. They have doubts. They misunderstand Jesus repeatedly. They are an interesting mix of the impulsive, the anxious, the ambitious, the skeptical, and the stubborn.
They feel remarkably familiar, because they are us.
The Gospels back this up. Not one of them was a spiritual giant from the beginning. Most questioned their ability to do what Jesus was calling them to do. Most were never really giants; they were faithful.
Jesus called ordinary people from everyday life. And somehow, through grace, these ordinary people became part of God’s extraordinary work.
This matters because many of us quietly assume we’re too insignificant to be useful to God. We think:
Someone else is wiser.
Someone else is more gifted.
Someone else is more spiritual.
Someone else is more prepared.
The Kingdom of God has never been about impressive resumes. It’s built on people willing to say “yes” and follow. God, it seems, works through willing hearts rather than through physical appearance, raw talent, or people who have it all together.
Moses stuttered. David was overlooked because he didn’t look the part. Peter was impulsive and outspoken. Mary Magdalene had a “past.” Thomas doubted. And still Christ called them.
Perhaps discipleship begins not when we become extraordinary, but when we become willing. Willing to follow. Willing to trust that God knows what he’s doing. Willing to accept that Jesus is building his Kingdom through imperfect people.
Including you
Prayer: Jesus, thank you for calling ordinary people. When I feel inadequate or unworthy, remind me that your strength is made perfect in weakness. Help me offer you my ordinary life with trust and willingness, believing that you can use even me for your Kingdom. Amen.
