God’s Chosen Instrument

The Lord God calls those chosen to be His instruments for righteousness. Every single one of His people is set aside to be used by Him in a particular way to bring forth His plan and purpose for their lives according to His will. But not everyone is called to do the same thing. Some are called to help others physically; some are to be an example of wisdom, and some have great knowledge and insight into His Spirit to teach others the way to go.

Others might be seen as regular folks working in every area of life, going to work, and being a glowing light of kindness, honesty, and integrity so that others can see and know they are different in Christ. Remember, no one’s task is unimportant but essential to His kingdom, yet different. Some are given a much greater responsibility, which brings more trials, tribulations, and a difficult preparation time. Yet even the least of God’s servants has a vital role in the kingdom of God to reach the Lost for Jesus Christ.

But then there are some who are called to a much higher calling in Jesus Christ. Some have received a much different task to accomplish, one where it is not always immediately evident to others what that mission is until it is achieved. God chooses who He desires and has laid out their destiny according to His will and purpose.

He gives some minor roles, and others are great and difficult, such as with the Apostle Paul. God chose him especially for a higher calling. Much higher than others who believed in the name of Jesus Christ and continued in their profession of faith. Yet, again, let’s not undervalue the work they have done to honor and obey the Lord in their daily life. In all of these examples, each of God’s servants could be described as a different kind of tool or implement used by the Master to craft His Kingdom of men, women, and children for His eternal purposes.

Acts 9:15-16 But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel. For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.”

Some of God’s chosen instruments could be described as simple tools, such as a hammer. The dictionary states, “The purpose of a hammer is to strike objects, often to drive nails into wood or other materials. Hammers are used for a wide range of tasks, from simple repairs to heavy construction.” Also, when it comes to a hammer, we know that it can be used repeatedly, perhaps to deliver a blow one hundred thousand times. A hammer could also be used for years until it finally breaks or when it is time to be retired from service. It should be plain to see what is being accomplished and the many jobs finished by the hammer’s strength, force, and usefulness.

When you think about it, some of God’s people are like this. Their work for the kingdom of God is plain to see. It is out there for the world to observe. This person may be a pastor, biblical teacher, evangelist, or one of the many other roles God has placed His chosen ones into that are in plain view of mankind. They are taken up in the hands of the Master and used openly for His work, and there is no doubt what He has accomplished through them.

On the other hand, there are those God calls in secret to do great and noble work for the growth of His kingdom. What He has given them to do is not spread out in public for the world or the demonic world to see. It could be described as a special mission that must be kept under wraps away from the prying eyes of the wicked, and that by their work, it will unknowingly destroy the kingdom of Satan, like a spy on a secret mission. This person could be likened to a bullet loaded into a shell casing. It is also described as a “Round” for a firearm, one who, at the right time set by the Father, will inflict a fatal blow to the kingdom of Satan.

Contrary to the construction and purpose of a hammer, a Round is painstakingly and precisely prepared ahead of time for one powerful display of power and force. Yet, until then, it can be advantageous as a show of force, defending those vulnerable and in need of defense without setting off the full potential waiting inside.

Ephesians 2:8-10 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

Let’s look at the process of preparing a Round before it can be used in a firearm. First, a brass shell casing must be designed perfectly for the specific size and caliber of the firearm it is intended for. It is then molded, cut, and shaped to exact specifications, polished, cleaned, and prepped for the three other essential elements that make up a firearm round.

Next, a primer that has the initial charge that will ignite a spark must be carefully pressed flush into place into the rear of the casing. After this, gunpowder of the correct type, size, and energy potential must be chosen and measured to a precise amount to achieve the desired amount of energy needed to push the projectile accurately to its intended target. Lastly, a bullet is crafted to exact internal and external specifications to exhibit the right characteristics to balance the energy exerted upon it. Finally, the bullet must have the right shape and weight to bring to bear the power given to it by all the other parts of the Round to take down the beast it is aimed at.

Additionally, let’s consider the many waiting periods a Round must endure before it is finally used for the intended purpose. Keep in mind that every servant of the Lord must endure and wait patiently, learning lessons through life until He finalizes His purpose. If this resonates with you, you may be starting to see how the time of waiting and preparation is necessary for your mission.

Like how God makes us wait for many reasons, a Round must wait to be packaged, wait to be labeled, and wait on a shelf until it is sold to a store. Once the manufacturer makes a sale to the merchant, it waits on a shelf again. Once sold to the customer, it must wait in a gun cabinet to be brought out into the field on the hunt or into battle. But even at this point, the Round may still have to wait, sometimes for years or decades, until the right beast is found and the time has come to point, aim, and fire.

Every true servant of the Lord has a purpose and potential God gives them. Some are given very simple instructions and roles to fulfill. Some are given greater vision and work to be done than others. Some are held aside for an even higher and bolder mission prepared from before the world began. As God says, everyone is equal in Christ and chosen for His will to build the kingdom of God. Yet, some are seen and some unseen. Some have a small role to play, some high. Some have been chosen to be called on special and rare missions, but when it comes down to it, we are all called to accept His will and calling in our lives.

1 Peter 4:10-11 As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

Through all these examples, I encourage you not to think you are insignificant compared to others. Don’t think that you have wasted all your time waiting or failed because you have not yet accomplished God’s mission. As the old saying goes, “It is not over yet, but we have only just begun.” God is not done with you, even if you have found yourself waiting so long to accomplish His goal. God’s purposes often take much longer than we would want.

Consider other faithful servants of the Lord and how long they had to wait. They, too, had to learn many lessons that changed their character, preparing them for God’s work. Consider David, who waited over 10 years to be king. Think of Joseph, who waited 40 years to be promoted to power in Egypt. Think of Noah, who worked for 100 years until the door of the Ark was finally shut. Not to mention others who never fully saw their purpose fulfilled in God’s timetable.

Hebrews 11:32-40 And what more shall I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel, and the prophets— who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, were made strong out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight. 

Women received back their dead by resurrection. Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, so that they might rise again to a better life. Others suffered mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were killed with the sword. They went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, mistreated— of whom the world was not worthy—wandering about in deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.

And all these, though commended through their faith, did not receive what was promised, since God had provided something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect.

No matter what kind of instrument you may be or the mission He has given you, God is in control, and His timing is best; trust Him. Make the best of every moment, learn every lesson taught, and reach out to others to help with the abilities God gave to you so that they may be healed, helped, and saved by Jesus Christ. And may I use a baseball idiom that says, “Keep your eye on the ball,” as in, keep your eye on the mission that the Lord has given you. Someday, He will fulfill your purpose in life and release you from the constraints of this life; with great joy, He will welcome you into heaven, and as Jesus said, the Father will say,

‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your Master.’ Matthew 25:21