How would you like to be described as worm? I’m guessing it might make you squirm with displeasure, if not anger. Understandably so. Because who among us wants to be associated with a slimy creature that burrows underground, ready to become a bird’s free meal when they dare to surface?

We’d rather be connected to something, well, better connected than a worm. Yet that’s how God addressed Jacob. Though He didn’t stop there. He saw how a slight, squishy invertebrate (or Abraham’s descendents) could, by His grace, become something or someone others would be in awe of. That also holds good for you and me.

“Do not be afraid, you worm Jacob. . . . I will make you into a threshing sledge, new and sharp, with many teeth.” – Isaiah 41:14–15 (NIV)

Lord Jesus,
Can it really be true that you can take us in our beaten, lowly, worm-like state
where the world easily bruises and crushes the life out of our souls, and then
produce a will of iron, a strong constitution of faith from our fragile, scarred
and weakened hearts, making us so much more than the sum of our parts?

Can it really be true that those who barely dare to lift their heads above the
fray can become bold messengers of your grace, speaking firm and brave
as they share a testimony of all you have done for them, all you are more
than willing to do for others, who listen and trust in their faith-filled words?

Oh let it be, my Lord! Let your light shine out laser-bright in our brokenness
as it strobes this earth. Let our hearts not quake but be willing to believe
you can work through wounded people like us, making yourself evident
to those who read or hear our heralding of your wondrous grace and love
© joylenton

God builds His Kingdom with cracked, broken vessels just like us. He’s not seeking out the successful or well-known, (though some may become that way by His grace) but the small, the lowly and despised, the ones others might not look at twice.

God seeks out the lost and the lonely, the rejected and hurting ones, those who are aware of their urgent need of change and desperate desire for a Saviour. He came for all who can see no way ahead and are at the end of their tether.

Those deemed unworthy by the world are the very ones who He uses to declare His love and redemptive power to others. Those who feel like a lowly worm, less than and not enough are perfectly placed to receive God’s amazing love.

Those who feel they don’t belong and have no significant place are invited in to receive His grace. Those who are damaged through their own wrongdoing are given mercy, forgiveness and hope to start again.

“Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.” – James 4:10 (NIV)

Our willing surrendered yes paves the way to greater Christ-likeness and growth in spiritual maturity. As we trust in God, He makes us strong and fit for purpose, and defeats the enemies before us.

When we bear heavy burdens of sorrow and pain, we are those who Jesus comes closest to in our darkest hour. God will not break a bruised reed or snuff out a faltering candlewick, but nurture it back to strength and vibrancy again. Our lowliness can pave the way to greatness when we trust in Christ.

“He will not break the bruised reed, nor quench the dimly burning flame. He will encourage the fainthearted, those tempted to despair. He will see full justice given to all who have been wronged.” – Isaiah 42:3 Living Bible (TLB)