God is not looking for impressive people — He is looking for yielded ones.
“There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.”
— John 1:6–8
God has never confined Himself to one mold when choosing His servants. He uses people from different backgrounds, cultures, ages, and stations in life. The anvil of God produces tools of many shapes and sizes — yet there are certain traits that consistently appear in those whom God greatly uses.
In the life of John the Baptist, we see truths that transcend time and apply to every servant God chooses to use.
GOD USES A COMMON MAN
v.6 — “There was a man…”
John is not introduced as wealthy, famous, or influential. Scripture simply says, “There was a man.”
God is not limited by human status. He delights in using ordinary people to accomplish extraordinary purposes. Heaven’s work has always been done through common men surrendered to an uncommon God.
GOD USES A CALLED MAN
v.6 — “…sent from God”
John did not appoint himself — he was sent. God does not use those who merely decide to serve Him; He uses those who have first heard from Him. Divine usefulness always begins with divine calling. Before a man can speak for God, he must hear from God.
GOD USES A CONFIRMING MAN
v.7 — “The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light…”
John lived for one purpose — to point others to Christ. He was not interested in building a following, but in bearing witness. God uses those who are consumed with making Christ known rather than themselves noticed.
GOD USES A CONSCIOUS MAN
v.7 — “…that all men through him might believe.”
John had an all-men vision. He understood that souls mattered — every soul. The servant God uses is one who lives aware of the eternal needs of those around him. Compassion and consciousness go hand in hand with divine usefulness.
GOD USES A COGNIZANT MAN
v.8 — “He was not that Light…”
John knew who he was — and who he was not. He was a voice, not the Light. God uses those who understand that they are not the attraction — Christ is. Humility keeps the spotlight where it belongs.
A medical student once stood in an operating room waiting to observe a renowned surgeon. When the assistant failed to arrive, the surgeon asked the student to help. The student later said, “How proud I was to assist the great physician in his great work.”
Every believer stands in that same place. We serve under the Great Physician, and He invites us — not because we are great, but because He is.
