Why Does God Choose the Powerless? …Hello Hump Day friends and family. It’s December 13th—half of the month is behind us, my goodness where did it go? Can you find any of these 13 days that encouraged you, made you wonder or worse, upset you? In a thirsty-for-power-charge-ahead-world, we are going to explore how God has a different take on such power maneuvers.

In Corinthians 1:27 [NLT] we see how God sees and uses power:

“Instead, God chose things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise. And he chose things that are powerless to shame those who are powerful.”  

 Our society laughs at such a “backwards idea” but God calls us to a different standard about power and God’s display of this is full-on in the Christmas story! Let’s dive into this incredible story—without the glitz and glitter of our Christmas trappings. Come on, let’s get real!

First: Mary—a godly woman living in what many described as a godless place—Nazareth. No wealth or prestige, just a young peasant woman. Then Joseph: the same thing, no high ranking official, just a lowly carpenter. Their story: Mary is with child out of wedlock, yet Joseph supports her even though the law said “stone her.” The Child: he was born in a feeding trough with animals for warmth. Now the ‘coup de grâce’ —considered the lowliest of humanity to visit them first were shepherds…and later, Magi from the East who did have wealth and prestige, but they were ‘outsiders’ in Israel, that was a ‘no-no’ in those times.

One would have to ask God, “Why did you choose these people when other cities had so much more to offer for Your Son?” And that’s just what our society is like. The lowly are disregarded and stepped over because of ethnicity, status, different religion—just different and we don’t like different, do we? Even in our churches we seek power for all the wrong reasons. Our stained-glass windows, decorated pulpits, pipe-organs, choirs/praise bands, etc., are put on the pedestal for “this is the best church” while people in that church are hurting. Perhaps quietly singing ‘Silent Night’ together has more power than anything?

Think of your life’s path—how did God choose it for you? Was it spectacular—are you at the pinnacle of society, a powerful person, or? God’s plans are different. God will choose the most unexpected person—maybe you—to accomplish his plans. Many would say, “Oh, not me, I have no power, I don’t have much” and that is exactly why God taps you on the shoulder for fulfilling one of his plans.

You can start with Genesis and all the way through Revelation and find men and women in the Bible doing great things that no one thought they could do. I always think of Moses and his excuses, “me Lord, I can’t even talk well” – so God gave him Aaron who could speak well. And David, whose father said he was just a shepherd and didn’t amount to anything. That’s when God steps in with his power and changes everything.

At Christmas, one thing I always ponder on is Mary’s incredible faith and wisdom. It wasn’t her ‘greatness’ it was her humility and her love of God to say “yes” and that word changed the world forever!

What greatness is God inviting you into? For me, my answer is God brought me into a beautiful time of retirement where I can write and share my love of God in devotions and leading retreats to help encourage one another. It is something I would have never imagined I would be doing—but when God steps in it changes everything.

What calling does God have on your life? Are you responding to that call or shrinking back saying, “Oh, I don’t have that kind of power to do something like this, God?” Think about it this way: what would have happened if Mary said ‘no?’

We are all foolish sinners. We all bear our shame, burdens and struggles. God knows that, and, it is in those moments when we feel we are powerless, God steps in and rescues us. So, toss the world’s idea of power. Instead, walk in the power of God—the power of resurrection and eternal life God gave you through the Christ Child—God’s Son and your Precious Savior forever and ever—AMEN!