Matthew 10:1-8
God uses imperfect, ordinary people to accomplish extraordinary purposes.
One of the most encouraging truths in Scripture is that God often chooses the people the world least expects. He calls ordinary, imperfect people and equips them for extraordinary purposes.
That’s exactly what we see in Matthew 10:1-8. After teaching, preaching, and healing, Jesus sends His disciples to continue His work. He didn’t choose the religious leaders or the most educated scholars. He chose fishermen, a tax collector, and other ordinary men. Their power didn’t come from their qualifications; it came from their relationship with Jesus. He gave them His authority and sent them to share the good news.
Have you ever heard of “impostor syndrome”? It’s the belief that you’re not qualified or capable, even when God and others have shown that you are.
If I’m honest, I’ve wrestled with those feelings myself. I didn’t grow up at Emmanuel Faith. I attended a small Lutheran church, drifted away during my early 20s, and spent those years becoming a wife, building a career, and raising a family while quietly longing for a church home.
In 2013, after living around the corner from Emmanuel Faith for five years, my husband and I decided to visit. We quickly knew it was where our family belonged. If someone had told me then that I would one day serve on staff in the Counseling Ministry, I wouldn’t have believed them. It wasn’t part of my plan, and I certainly didn’t feel qualified.
But that’s often how God works.
My story reminds me of Matthew 10. Jesus didn’t call people because they had the perfect story. He called ordinary people, gave them His authority, and invited them to trust Him. Their effectiveness wasn’t based on their qualifications but on their willingness to follow Him.
There’s a quote often attributed to Mother Teresa: “If you want to change the world, go home and love your family.” It’s a reminder that real change begins with the people God has already placed in front of us.
God isn’t looking for perfect people; He’s looking for willing people. When we stay close to Jesus, He empowers us for whatever He calls us to do. Maybe changing the world begins with simply saying yes to the place and the people He has already entrusted to you.
Amanda Ainsworth
Counseling Coordinator