God has a way of picking people the world would never think to choose. The Bible is full of characters that we would deem less-than-desirable because of all their issues and imperfections. Yet, in His surprising, glorious way, God selects them for His work. He can, and does, use anyone to build His kingdom.
"Now there were four men with leprosy sitting at the entrance of the city gates. 'Why should we sit here waiting to die?' they asked each other … 'we might as well go out and surrender to the Aramean army. If they let us live, so much the better. But if they kill us, we would have died anyway.' So at twilight they set out for the camp of the Arameans. But when they came to the edge of the camp, no one was there! For the Lord had caused the Aramean army to hear the clatter of speeding chariots and the galloping of horses and the sounds of a great army approaching … So [the lepers] went back to the city and told the gatekeepers what had happened … Then the gatekeepers shouted the news to the people in the palace." (2 Kings 7:3-11, NLT)
For a long time, the Arameans had been attacking the capital of the ten tribes of Israel, Samaria. Samaria suffered a great famine, because of the length of the siege. They were so desperate that they were selling dove dung for food, and mothers began eating their very own children.
In this time of despair, God brought a miraculous, supernatural end to the enemy’s siege. He chose four lepers to discover His answer to the famine.
Think about it. Jesus could have chosen anyone in Israel – the king, the generals, the warriors, the prestigious priests – but He didn’t. No, instead he picked four men on the brink of death, with nothing to hope for.
These men were outcasts of society, considered better off dead. When God looked at them, however, He saw the beauty of their hearts, and He allowed them to be the first to witness His deliverance. They proved themselves to be good stewards of saving news when they took the word back to the gatekeepers that their enemies were gone.
They could have kept the plunder to themselves, and they were certainly tempted to do so. However, in humble gratitude, they went back to the people who would not touch them in order to proclaim the freeing provision of the Lord.
God does not take into consideration other people’s views of you when He chooses you. He’s not concerned about whether society accepts you or not. He cares about your heart.
You may think you’re not worth choosing, but Jesus tenderly looks you in the eyes and says, “I choose you. I choose you to be Mine. I choose you for the work I want to do in this world. You are just the person I’ve been looking for.”
He didn’t choose you by accident, or by default, or because there was no one better. He chose you because you are valuable, you are uniquely needed, and only you can fulfill the calling He has placed on your life. So go ahead and accept yourself; Jesus has already accepted you as perfect for His plan.
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