Heroes with feet of clay

God takes pleasure in moving through imperfect people. The great men and women of faith recorded in Scripture were not exempt from the flaws and sinful inclinations that plague every other human being. The apostle James speaks of the great prophet Elijah, for example, and tells us that "he was a man subject to passions similar to ours". However, he adds, "He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the earth for three years and six months" (James 5:17).

Almost all the kings recorded in Scripture made grave mistakes. There were certain spiritual weaknesses in them that at times opened them to temptation, and which almost led to their ruin and even the loss of their life. Even like King Jehoshaphat, they made decisions in his reign that brought curse and tragedy to his lineage, and that brought corruption and judgment on the nation of Israel.

Like those biblical characters, you and I don't have to be spiritual giants to see the glory of God in our lives. I am not saying that spiritual excellence is not important. Far be it from me to suggest that we have to settle for spiritual mediocrity and excuse our persistent shortcomings with the cheap claim that "God knows my weaknesses, and is merciful."

It is important to always go for the best. We have to strive each day to be more pleasing to the Lord, and to undergo a continuous process of sanctification. It is important to seek to grow more and more every day. But sometimes we fall into the trap of believing, "I have to be a great man or woman, an outstanding missionary, a spiritual genius, for God to move mightily in my life."

God loves to move through ordinary people, people with feet of clay, people who are still fighting their battles and who are in the process of improvement. Who of us can say, "I am already perfected." If we say so, we are already committing the first sin: We are lying!

Spiritually speaking, we are all half cooked; but God, in his mercy, uses our faith to break down barriers. He glorifies in using brittle vessels to display his power and mercy. Remember: You don't have to be a spiritual giant. You may be a person with emotional struggles and ties, with inconsistencies, and very much in the process, but God can use your faith to break down barriers. God's blessing is for everyone who believes (Romans 1:16), not necessarily for everyone who is perfect. Always remember this!