When it comes to God using you in His great plan, the Bible makes it clear that He is more interested in your character than He is in your abilities. Many of the greatest "heroes" in the Bible weren't great speakers, teachers, or singers. They were just ordinary people with an extraordinary commitment to God.
So ask yourself, if God wanted to use you to influence the lives of other people, could He?
In the book of 1 Timothy, Paul lays out some guidelines for church leaders. He explains that those who wish to become leaders in a church need to develop certain qualities in their lives: "Deacons (servant leaders). . . are to be men worthy of respect, sincere, not indulging in much wine, and not pursuing dishonest gain . . . In the same way their wives are to be women worthy of respect, not malicious talkers but temperate and trustworthy in everything. A deacon must be the husband of but one wife and must manage his children and his household well" (1 Tim. 3:8-12, NIV).
Sadly, many people look at a passage like this and give up hope of ever being used by God. "I've already blown it," they think. "I could never be a preacher or a ministry leader." But God isn't looking for people who were born perfect, He is looking for people who have been transformed. He is seeking people who, through faith and hard work, have become honest, controlled, sincere, respectable, trustworthy, and faithful.
No matter what has happened in your past, God can use you to do mighty things. It may take time to develop into the type of person outlined in 1 Timothy, but it is possible, even for you. Don't give up hope. Take a few steps in the right direction:
1. Regularly learn and pray through Bible verses.
2. Meet weekly with another believer to talk about your progress, your struggles, and your goals as a Christian.
3. Pray that God would transform you into exactly the person you need to be to fulfill His mission for your life.
To Read: Titus 1:6-9
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