Flawed, Not Useless

Some things are known for their flaws.

Like the Liberty Bell, pictured above. While there is disagreement as to exactly how it came to be, there is no denying the large, zig-zag crack which has rendered the Bell toneless and dumb since 1846. It can no longer serve its intended purpose, to ring loud and clear for all to hear.

It is by no means, however, useless.

Instead of being melted down and recast, it has, flaws and all, played a role in not only the American Revolution, but also the the Anti-Slavery movement and Women's Suffrage (voting). Still to this day, people flock to the broken old bell as a symbol of freedom and unity.

Because of its flaw, it speaks differently than first intended, but it speaks louder than ever.

God uses flawed things too.

Namely us.

Moses was a poor speaker, but God used him to deliver His Law to His People. David was an adulterer and murderer; God used him to found a kingdom for eternity. Paul was a persecutor seeking to wipe out an entire set of people, until God used him to deliver the message of salvation to the Gentiles.  

Jonah. Samson. Rahab. Peter.

All flawed. Every one of them used by God.

God can use you, flaws and all.

C. S. Lewis was an avowed atheist before finding God and becoming one of the most influential Christian voices of the 20th century. Chuck Colson was indicted and found guilty in the Watergate scandal before coming to Christ and founding a world-wide ministry. Dave Ramsey, the Christian financial guru, was once bankrupt.

God used, or is still using, every one of them. They were flawed, not useless.

So are you. I don't know your flaws, but likely you do. Maybe you feel that you cannot serve God because of what you know about yourself. Maybe you think because of what you have done, your chance of doing anything good is over.

Bull and bunk.

Are you worse than an adulterous murderer, a prostitute, an avowed atheist, or a fanatic persecutor dead-set on genocide? Is your situation worse than absolute bankruptcy, financial or otherwise?

Probably not. And even if so, God can, and will, use you.

If you let Him.

We may be cracked bells, you and I, but we are not useless. If we are willing, God can accomplish things through us greater than we could have ever imagined.

Are you willing?