I’m Flawed! How Can God Use Me?

Strive for Perfection Settle on Excellence

You don’t have to be perfect to be used by God. Lord knows He would never use me if that weren’t true. I am only 4’ 11” tall and was diagnosed with hypothyroid in 2001 which comes with a whole slew of other issues, I battle with Anxiety, Doubt, Fear, Shame, and Guilt often and tend to withdraw into the cave of procrastination when they don’t leave.  I have more flaws than I care to admit and yet, He still loves me and He continues to use me today. All He asks is that I’m willing. Then, to listen and obey. Knowing I will never be perfect like Him, even though I strive to be, I settle on excellence because I gave it my best effort.

Not only does He use flawed people like me, He prefers to use us over people who think they’re perfect. “You wear noble, pious expressions in public, but God knows your evil hearts. Your pretense brings you honor from the people, but it is an abomination in the sight of God” (Luke 16:15 TLB).

2 Corinthians 12:10-For when I am weak, I am strong.

Let’s take a look at how God used flawed people.

Moses

God asked Moses to go to Pharaoh and convince him to let God’s people go.   Then, Moses told the Lord, “Please, Lord, I’m not eloquent. I never was in the past nor am I now since you spoke to your servant. In fact, I talk too slowly and I have a speech impediment” (Exodus 4:10 ISV).

Moses responded the way I would. Why use me? I’m flawed. I can’t talk. They won’t believe me. But how does God respond? “Who gives a person a mouth? Who makes him unable to speak, or deaf, or able to see, or blind, or lame? Is it not I, the Lord?  Now, go! I myself will help you with your speech, and I’ll teach you what you are to say.”

God promises to be our help. Our weakness stops us from offering Pride free reign. She will stop us from following God. When we let God lead, we see others blessed.

Moses continues to argue with God. He pleads his case of being highly unqualified, but God pursues him anyway. Once Moses obeys God, he sees God work through him and eventually, Moses gets what he initially asked Pharaoh for – “Let God’s people go.”

David

We read all about David in the scriptures. He was responsible for many deaths in and out of war. Some, by his own scheming. But, perhaps, Women were his biggest weakness. Once he was established in Jerusalem, he engaged in polygamy by taking a number of concubines and wives. He even committed adultery with Bathsheba and then had her husband, Uriah,  killed to cover up his sin.

Was David perfect? Far from it! And like me, God kept using him. Why? Because David had a heart for God. He was not only a willing vessel, but he listened and obeyed. And when he made a mistake, and there were many, he repented. “I have sinned against Yahweh” (2 Samuel 12:13 LEB).

We’re all going to make mistakes. That’s what makes us human. It’s not perfection God looks for, but those willing to own their mistakes, repent, and follow him wholeheartedly. God can and will use you in your weakness.