I remember a time when I confessed some weaknesses and flaws to the Lord and suddenly feared I revealed something to Him that He didn’t know. With this, a sense a dread came upon me that the “news” I shared would change His mind about using me. It was almost as if I believed I had successfully hidden these particular imperfections from Him and was embarrassed because now He knew what I deal with!
Thankfully, God didn’t let my mind take this ridiculous notion too far. He quickly reminded me that He knew all along—long before I did. Actually, He saw my faults and failures before the creation of the world, but He decided way back then to use me despite it all.
God’s Inconceivable Choices
This is the essence of how Paul encouraged the Ephesians. “Even before he made the world,” Paul began, “God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes” (Eph. 1:4, NLT). Reflect upon this incomprehensible truth for just a moment. Before you were news to your parents, God saw all the good, the bad and the ugly of your life, and He made a choice. He made a choice to love you, completely knowing that you couldn’t equally love Him back. He made a decision to choose you, completely knowing that, at times, you wouldn’t choose Him—completely knowing you’d often fall flat on your face. Yet knowing all of this, and so much more, He essentially said, “I don’t take any of it into consideration. I choose to see you and use you through the lens of the identity of Christ—holy and blameless, pure and spotless.”
God’s Family Tree
While writing my book, Activating the Power of God‘s Word, I took this further by exploring some of the major characters that make up God’s family tree. In doing so, I was astonished at how dysfunctional it is—at least according to our standards. Abraham came from a culture of idol-worshippers. Jacob deceived his father in order to steal his brother’s inheritance. Rahab was a prostitute. David committed adultery. Solomon turned his heart toward other gods. And these are just a handful of examples.
Still, despite the histories, circumstances and scandals surrounding these unlikely people, each was uniquely chosen and powerfully used by God to make up the lineage of Jesus.
You Are No Surprise to God
My encouragement to you today is that you are no surprise to God. As He reminded me and illustrates in His family tree, God knew what He was getting before He brought you into this world, yet He still did it. So don’t let the voice of “Look what you’ve done, “You’re too much of this” or “You’re too little of that” attempt to disqualify you. God loves you, He chose you and He has a plan to use you—imperfections and all. {eoa}
Kyle Winkler equips people to live in victory. His mobile app, Shut Up, Devil!, is the #1 spiritual warfare app; and his book, Activating the Power of God’s Word, uncovers 16 strategic declarations to transform your life. Kyle holds a Master of Divinity in biblical studies from Regent University. Get daily encouragement from Kyle on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Joseph Mattera 
BJ Foster 
Shelby Bowen 
