He was only a child: separated from his parents because of a
vow and bombarded by negative influences.
She was only a housewife: respected by her people but living
in a troublesome time.
He was only a prisoner: Betrayed, tempted, and wrongly
accused.
She was only a girl: young, sickly, and uneducated.
Yet it was Samuel that God called to be His voice after
years of little counsel being given by the Lord. Though no more than 6 years
only when He first entered into the sanctuary, he didn’t allow the influence of
Eli’s sons to cause him to sin against his God.
It was Deborah who was called to lead the army of Israel
because the warrior Barak didn’t have enough faith in God. Never mind that she
was married and living in a time where the very thought of a woman going to war
shook the very foundations of their society, she was going to follow God’s
guidance no matter what the people around her might think of her decision.
It was Joseph that was called to save entire countries.
Taken from his family in his youth and brought into the house of Potiphar.
Joseph stood firm when his master wife showed him an easy way out of his
bondage (something not unheard of in his day) and was willing to be killed
rather than disobey his master and his God. Then after being brought so low, he
was raised up to second in command of the known world and became the savoir of
those who had treated him cruelly.
It was Ellen White that God called to be his prophet after
others had turned down God’s offer. Although a wife and mother, she traveled
extensively sharing the gospel and helping to organize the Seventh-day
Adventist church.
No wonder that in Joel 2:28-29, God makes no distinction to
the men and women He will call in the last days, both young and old, to spread
the gospel to the ends of the earth.
“And it shall come to pass afterward
That I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh;
Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
Your old men shall dream dreams,
Your young men shall see visions.
And also on My menservants and on My maidservants
I will pour out My Spirit in those days.”
It makes you wonder what God really looks at when He is
calling someone into ministry. I’m sorry, but I can’t imagine God saying, “This
person would touch so many lives as a missionary, but they are just too young,
even though I can give them the strength to face any obstacle that might be in
their way” or “This person would impact so many for my kingdom, but I’m not
sure if I can call someone who is not a man in his 20s.”
The words spoken to Samuel by the Lord when Samuel was
looking for the new king (who ended up being one of the most unlikely
candidates) were, “…The Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the
outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7)
What makes a person fit for ministry? Simply the calling of God.
End of story.
