Why God Uses Seemingly Insignificant People for His Significant Plan

As I was reading in Exodus today, the words were really speaking to me as I read of Moses’ journey to delivering the Israelites. Moses was a baby boy spared in a dark time in Egypt. Then, rescued by the Pharaoh’s daughter, he was able to be adopted into the royal family. Moses knew that he was a Hebrew and one day he saw an Egyptian severely beating a Hebrew. Moses committed murder and fled the Pharaoh when he found out. Moses journeyed to Midian and ended up marrying Zipporah and becoming a shepherd. This small detail might just appear as a job opportunity, however, for a Hebrew who grew up as Egyptian royalty, Moses likely took on a lot of the Egyptian culture and perhaps the views.

In the time of Joseph, he brings his father Jacob and his entire family to the land of Goshen near Egypt. Genesis 46:34 says, “You shall say, ‘Your servants have been keepers of livestock from our youth even until now, both we and our fathers,’ in order that you may dwell in the land of Goshen, for every shepherd is an abomination to the Egyptians.” Joseph told his family not to be ashamed of being shepherds even though the Egyptians looked down on this profession.

Fast forward to the time of Moses after Joseph, and Moses goes from being a royal in Egypt to a shepherd in a small town. I imagine that Moses thought he was the least of who God would use; yet in Exodus 3, we see Moses encountering the Lord in a burning bush speaking to Him. God told Moses that He would deliver the people out of slavery in the land of Egypt and take them to the promised land. Moses had no idea that he would be the one to facilitate a mass exodus, for he was only a Hebrew shepherd. However, the Lord used Moses in a mighty way. He became the leader of the Israelites.

To Reveal His Redemptive Plan

So many of the people within the genealogy of Christ found in Matthew 1 were unexpected. There is a polygamist, a liar, prostitute, widow, murderer, shepherd, adulterer, king, musician, poet, and a foreigner. Many of the people listed had journeys of difficulties and refinement. They each struggled with their own sins, in yet they were a part of God’s redemptive family line to the Savior Jesus. The Lord often uses unexpected people to remind the world that it is not in humanities own strength, but through the power of the Spirit of God. Let us not forget the twelve disciples who Jesus chose. He had a group of fishermen, a tax collector, and a zealot. He had women who ministered alongside of Him who would not have been as respected in those days. Our weaknesses point to the need for the Savior.

2 Corinthians 4:7 says, “But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us.”

To Show the World That Jesus Came for All People

Let’s think about Mary. She was a poor teenage pregnant girl. She was a virgin carrying baby Jesus in her womb. Mary was seemingly very insignificant. She was by no means upper class. She did not have a high level of education. Yet, the Lord chose her womb to be His home for nine months as He prepared His grand entrance, in a stable nonetheless. This is a beautiful point that is made. Jesus, the King, came down as a son of a poor teen in a manger. He grew up as the son of a carpenter. At His birth, the shepherds and later the wise men came to him. The poorest and the wealthiest were welcomed by Jesus.

2 Corinthians 5:15 says, “He died for everyone so that those who receive his new life will no longer live for themselves. Instead, they will live for Christ, who died and was raised for them.”

To Invite Us in Today

Maybe you feel like you do not have what it takes to be used for the glory of God? Think about all these people that He has called to join Him in His plan. If you have a heart surrendered to Jesus and a willingness to say, “Yes” to Him, then you do have what it takes because you have the Holy Spirit living inside of you.

1 Corinthians 1:27-31 says, “Brothers, consider the time of your calling: Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were powerful; not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. He chose the lowly and despised things of the world, and the things that are not, to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast in His presence. It is because of Him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God: our righteousness, holiness, and redemption. Therefore, as it is written: ‘Let him who boasts boast in the Lord.’”

These verses in Scripture say it best. We may not be wise or powerful or born into an upper-class family, but God can choose anyone. Many times, He will select the unlikely person who is humble and surrendered to Christ. Our only boast is in Jesus. I ponder the intentionality of the Lord by choosing people who could not be prideful in their positions and opportunities because they knew it could only have come from God Himself. 

Maybe you have a new job, a hobby is really taking off, or you are gaining influence in your community or online? Remember that this is not because of you and your own benefit, this is a God-given platform to use for the glory of Jesus. If you feel beaten down by lies of insignificance, then allow Christ to lift your head up so you are able to see the things that He wants you to accomplish in His name. If you are feeling overly significant to a point of pride, confess and ask the Holy Spirit to renew humility in your heart and mind. 

God uses seemingly insignificant people for His significant plan to be glorified in humility, to reveal His redemptive plan, to show that Jesus came for all people, and to invite us to say yes to Him today.

Photo credit: ©GettyImages/kieferpix

Emma Danzey’s mission in life stems from Ephesians 3:20-21, to embrace the extraordinary. One of her greatest joys is to journey with the Lord in His Scriptures. She is wife to Drew and mom to Graham. Emma serves alongside her husband in ministry, she focuses most of her time in the home, but loves to provide articles on the Bible, life questions, and Christian lifestyle. Her article on Interracial Marriage was the number 1 on Crosswalk in 2021. Most recently, Emma released Treasures for Tots, (Scripture memory songs) and multiple books and devotionals for young children. During her ministry career, Emma has released Wildflower: Blooming Through Singleness, two worship EP albums, founded and led Polished Conference Ministries, and ran the Refined Magazine. You can view her articles on her blog at emmadanzey.wordpress.com and check out her Instagram @Emmadanzey.