Many who know me know that track and field is an important component of my life and story. I did well for myself and even earned a scholarship to do the sport in college. But, I did not always see that this opportunity would arise.

I was a athlete who never considered myself as naturally gifted as other runners. While others seemed to effortlessly excel in their specialty events, I found myself open to trying everything—sprints, distance, jumps, throws. What I lacked in natural talent, I made up for in versatility, grit, and determination.

Through hard work and a willingness to be molded, I eventually earned a track scholarship. God used my perceived weakness—my perceived lack of standout natural ability—to develop a well-rounded athlete who could contribute to the programs I was a member of in multiple ways.

Sometimes our limitations become the very thing that opens us to God’s unexpected plan.

In a spiritual sense, God has an affinity for choosing normal and rather unlikely people. Or sometimes, God uses likely and unlikely people in genuinely unlikely ways. Jesus Christ Himself is the likely hero of humanity, but to send Him in humility as a helpless babe to grow up as a carpenter to die on behalf of humanity is very unlikely. Israel wanted a brazen king, but got a lowly servant.

God elaborates on this paradox through the unlikely character of the Apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 1:26-29 when He states,

“For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: That no flesh should glory in his presence.”

The fact that God was at work through a normally licentious people group, such as the Corinthians, verifies the fact that God’s glory will surpass Satan’s obstacles. It will surpass the world’s expectations. And it will surpass many larger-than-life people in favor of the small fellas that have a heart humble enough to believe.

When God confounds the world’s wisdom, human boasting is forced to seize as it becomes meaningless. God uses the ordinary to highlight His otherworldliness, that is, His Holiness.

“Normal people” are equipped with a treasure at the moment of salvation. The treasure is the ministry of reconciliation, the Gospel of Grace. The most precious message in the universe.

We in mundane capacities are the vessels (2 Corinthians 4:7). We are ordinary, fragile, expendable clay pots that Paul, at times, used as a metaphor for our human frailty.

In our Earthly bodies, we are the containers, yet not the treasure itself. Paul himself describes an immense “thorn in the flesh,” yet spread the Gospel where before it was not offered (2 Corinthians 12:6-12).

The pressures of this world have created a plague of inadequacy that eats away at even strong Christians. Recognize inadequacy as normal, not disqualifying.

Moses felt inadequate (speech), David was overlooked (youngest son).

God sees potential where others see problems

We are available; He is able. We offer ourselves; He does the work through us.

Your background doesn’t disqualify you. Your limitations don’t surprise God. In your weakness, He is strong (2 Corinthians 12:10).

Your small beginning can become God’s great work.