We don’t have to be the most talented people in the world for God to use us.
God is perfectly capable of using people like us - even with all our struggles and weaknesses. Dale Jenkins reminded me of that in a lesson he taught at a preacher’s retreat recently.
He pointed our attention to what the apostle Paul said when Paul pleaded with the Lord to remove his “thorn in the flesh.”
And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong. (2 Corinthians 12:9-10)
Maybe your weakness looks something like…
You’re not a very talented public speaker.
Interactions with people are difficult for you.
Your health has been giving you problems.
You’ve been struggling with your mental health.
You’ve been enduring persecution in your work - whether from inside or outside the congregation.
Even if you have one (or more) of these weaknesses in your local work - God can still use you. He told Paul, “My strength is made perfect in weakness.”
God will not abandon you. His power and grace can be made even more apparent during your weaknesses.
So take comfort, preacher - “God has a vested interest in your lack of talent.”