“Moses said to the Lord, ‘Pardon your servant, Lord. I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since you have spoken to your servant. I am slow of speech and tongue.”
—Exodus 4:10

An African proverb says, “If you think you are too small to make a difference, try spending the night in a closed room with a mosquito.”

When we focus on ourselves — our faults, weaknesses and limitations — we may conclude, logically enough, that we are insignificant. Then again, look at the people God has used to make a difference in the world. For example, when God told Moses that he would use him to liberate Israel, Moses replied, “Pardon your servant, Lord. I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since you have spoken to your servant. I am slow of speech and tongue” (Ex 4:10). But God reminded Moses that, as Creator, he was more than capable of helping him.

Even more to the point: Our limitations are not obstacles to God. On the contrary, God chooses to use foolish and weak things to accomplish his mission (see 1 Cor 1:25). He used David, who was the youngest in his family, to conquer the Philistines and become the great king of Israel. He used Peter, who was fickle and unfaithful, to become the lead apostle in the early church. God chooses people and circumstances so simple, weak and ordinary so that we know God alone is the one who changes our lives and the world.

What limitations do you need to hand over to God and see how He can use you?

A “Culture Connections” feature drawn from the NIV Understand the Faith Study Bible.