One of the most comforting and yet challenging truths found throughout Scripture is this: God consistently chooses ordinary people to accomplish extraordinary purposes. Not the most qualified. Not the most impressive. Not the ones with perfect backgrounds or flawless resumes. Again and again, the Bible introduces us to individuals who were overlooked, underestimated, unsure, and sometimes deeply flawed yet powerfully used by God. This pattern is not accidental. It is intentional, and it carries a message that still speaks directly to us today.
Many people believe they must reach a certain level of holiness, confidence, or competence before God can truly use them. We assume that calling belongs to the bold, the gifted, the fearless, or the spiritually elite. But Scripture dismantles that idea. God does not wait for people to become extraordinary before He calls them. He calls people as they are and then does the transforming work Himself. This is not because God lacks options, but because His glory shines brightest through vessels that clearly could not have succeeded on their own (2 Cor. 12:9).
Consider Moses, one of the most influential figures in the Bible. When God called him to lead Israel out of Egypt, Moses did not respond with confidence. Like some of us, he responded with excuses. He doubted his ability to speak. He questioned his qualifications. He tried to hand the assignment back to God. Yet God chose Moses anyway. His weakness did not disqualify him; it revealed the kind of dependence God desired. Moses’ story reminds us that our calling is not rooted in our self-confidence but in God’s presence going with us (Exodus 3-4).
David’s story offers another powerful example. He was not the strongest, the oldest, or the most experienced among his brothers. When the prophet Samuel came to anoint a new king, David wasn’t even considered worth inviting to the gathering. He was out in the fields doing what he had always done. Yet God saw what no one else did. David’s heart mattered more than his status (1 Samuel 16). His faithfulness in obscurity prepared him for influence and a crown. God’s choice of David reveals that significance is often cultivated far from the spotlight.
Scripture also introduces us to individuals like Gideon, who openly doubted himself. When God called him a mighty warrior, Gideon was hiding in fear and questioning his worth. He saw himself as the least in his family, from the weakest tribe. Yet God saw potential beyond Gideon’s insecurity. God didn’t wait for Gideon to feel brave; He called him in the middle of his fear (Judges 6-8). This tells us something profound: God often names us according to what He is forming, not according to what we currently see.
The Bible is filled with women whose stories reinforce this truth. I love Queen Esther, who was an orphan, living under foreign rule, placed in a position she did not choose. Yet God used her courage to save an entire nation. Ruth was a widow, a foreigner, and socially vulnerable, yet her faithfulness positioned her in the lineage of Jesus. Mary was a young woman from an insignificant town, chosen to carry the Savior of the world. None of these women fit what society would have labeled as powerful, yet God entrusted them with pivotal roles in redemptive history.
Even the disciples chosen by Jesus reflected this pattern. Fishermen, tax collectors, and ordinary laborers were invited to walk with Him. They were not scholars or religious elites. They made mistakes, misunderstood Jesus, and struggled with faith. Yet Jesus chose them intentionally. He didn’t recruit perfection; He cultivated transformation. Their ordinariness became the backdrop against which God’s power was displayed.
This pattern should challenge the way we view our own lives. Many people feel disqualified because of their past, their lack of credentials, or their current struggles. We compare ourselves to others and assume God prefers someone more gifted or more spiritually polished. But Scripture consistently shows us that God is not looking for perfection; He is looking for availability. He uses people who are willing to say yes, even when they feel inadequate.
Ordinary people often carry an advantage they don’t realize: humility. When you know you cannot rely solely on your own strength, you learn to depend on God. This dependence creates space for divine intervention. When success cannot be explained by human ability alone, God’s hand becomes unmistakable. This is why God often bypasses those who are self-sufficient and draws close to those who recognize their need for Him. Hallelujah! 🙌
God also uses ordinary people because their stories are relatable. When we read Scripture, we see ourselves reflected in their doubts, fears, failures, and growth. Their lives remind us that faith is not about never struggling; it’s about continuing to trust God through the struggle. Their obedience, even when imperfect, becomes evidence that God can work through anyone who is willing to walk with Him.
Another reason God uses ordinary people is that obedience often matters more than understanding. Many biblical figures did not fully grasp what God was doing when they were called. They stepped forward without having the full picture. God revealed direction as they moved. This teaches us that faith is often formed in motion. Waiting to feel fully prepared can become a form of disobedience if God has already spoken for you to move.
It is also worth noting that ordinary people often experience long seasons of preparation before public breakthrough and promotion. David tended sheep long before he became king. Joseph endured years of betrayal and imprisonment before stepping into national leadership. Moses spent decades in the wilderness before returning to Egypt. These hidden seasons are not wasted; they shape character, refine faith, and develop endurance. God uses time to prepare people for extraordinary assignments. But for some of you, your time is NOW!
When God uses ordinary people, He also redefines what success looks like. Success in God’s kingdom is not measured by popularity, recognition, or visible impact. It is measured by faithfulness. Many biblical heroes did not see the full outcome of their obedience in their lifetime. Yet their faith paved the way for generations after them. God values faithfulness over fame.
This truth is both comforting and confronting. It comforts us because it removes the pressure to become someone else in order to be used by God. It confronts us because it removes our excuses. If God can use ordinary people, then availability becomes our responsibility. The question is no longer whether we are qualified, but whether we are willing? 🤷🏽♀️
God’s choice of ordinary people also reveals His heart for relationship. He does not use people as tools; He walks with them, teaches them, corrects them, and grows them. The journey matters as much as the outcome. God is not just accomplishing tasks through people; He is forming people through obedience.
If you feel unseen, unqualified, or unsure, Scripture offers a consistent reassurance: you are exactly the kind of person God has always used. Your ordinariness does not disqualify you; it positions you to experience God’s power in personal and transformative ways. God is not limited by your background, your current season, or your perceived weaknesses. He specializes in using what the world overlooks to accomplish what the world cannot explain.
The unexpected heroes of Scripture remind us that God’s story is not about human greatness; it is about divine grace working through willing hearts. When God uses ordinary people, He invites us to participate in something far greater than ourselves. And in doing so, He reveals a truth that still stands today: extraordinary impact often begins with a simple yes. 🙏❤
Get EMPOWERED! E-Book 🎉👑💪
