Have you ever felt that you have little to no redeeming qualities, or anything that God could use? We live in a society with high expections. Performance is valued and those that aren't the best are often left behind. We are taught early on that winning matters. This lesson follows us into adulthood and many times drives us to try to be something we are not. We feel important when we are wanted or when we can bring something to the table, so we try to emulate those who may be more successful than we are. We all have the desire to feel needed, useful and gifted in our lives.

When it comes to God's kingdom, many of us have heard that God has uniquely made everyone with individual gifts and talents to further this kingdom. However, most of us have felt that we have nothing to offer that is worthy of God's grand plan. We tell ourselves that there is always someone with better skills, more knowledge, or more experienced to handle the tasks at hand. It can be very deflating to feel useless and unwanted, or just to feel like you are living a life of insignificance.

The good news is that no matter how insignificant or useless we feel, God sees us as the perfect person for the job that he has given us. I know, you are saying, "Yeah I've heard it before," but God proves that he can take what we may see as completely insignificant and use it to change the world. Let me give you an example...

This week, I want to look at one of my favorite characters in the Bible. His story can be found in Judges 3:12-30. God called a man named Ehud to deliver the Israelites from the Moabite king, Eglon. Ehud's qualification was the fact that he was left-handed. t wasn't that he was a mighty warrior, or the genius of his tribe. The only quality the Bible lists is that he was left-handed. As a result of this "talent," Ehud was able to come into King Eglon's presence with a long dagger strapped to his right leg. You see, the guards would have only checked the left leg, where a right-handed person's sword or dagger would have been. That's pretty amazing! The story gets even better from there, but I'll let you read on for yourself. After reading the rest of this story, you won't be able to tell me that the Bible isn't exciting!

This story of the left-handed man takes our excuses and fears of not being qualified in God's kingdom, and throws them out the window. Suddenly we are face to face with the reality that God has designed us with everything that we need to fulfill his plan for our lives-with everything we need to do great and mighty things for Him! It also makes us realize that it is in Him, and with Him alone, that we can really do anything. He's designed us to be the vessel and equipped us with everything that he wants to work through and use.

This week, ask God to reveal the gifts, both small and large, that He gave you by design to reach and change your world. Take a second look at what you might have considered to be disqualifying attributes and listen and see if God has a different plan for them. Remember the words in Philippians 4:13-"I can do ALL things through Christ who strengthens me." od did not create you with the traits and abilities that you have in order to give you a mission that you cannot fulfill. God's nature is such that he longs to see us live life to the fullest. He isn't sitting around waiting for you to fail so he can throw his head back in laughter or punish you.

Final Thought: Read this passage of scripture this week and let the God who created heaven and earth and all that is in it (yes, that includes you) encourage you in your uniqueness. You are who and what you are because of his plan and purpose for your life!