Then Ananias replied, “Lord, I have heard from many regarding this individual, how much damage he has inflicted upon Your saints in Jerusalem. And here he possesses authority from the chief priest to imprison all who invoke Your name. ” But the Lord responded to him, “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of Mine to proclaim My name before Gentiles, Kings, and the children of Israel. ” Acts 9:13-15

During the Christmas season, we gather to view “Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer. ” While it may appear somewhat unusual to discuss a Christmas program at this time, there is a segment of the film that resonates with us all. In the movie, Rudolph and his companion find themselves on the island of misfit toys; these toys are unwanted by children due to their peculiarities, such as a squirt gun that dispenses jelly and a Charlie in the box instead of a Jack in the box. The island was overseen by a caretaker who watched over the toys, hoping that Santa would visit one Christmas Eve and take them away. Many of us perceive ourselves as misfits, feeling that we do not quite fit in with others. This may stem from our appearance, clothing, or manner of speaking or from the remarks made by others suggesting our difference. However, if we reflect, there were many misfits in the Bible whom God utilized, misfits whom God transformed from zero to hero.

As a young boy, I experienced a speech impediment; others would mock me, and teachers would become frustrated due to my stuttering. It often felt like answering a question took an eternity, and my peers delighted in ridiculing me because of it. Each day was a repetitionrising from bed, attending school, and facing bullying. It was challenging to go to school each day, anticipating the treatment I would receive from my classmates. Yet, God had different plans for me, and today there is no stuttering; my voice has become my instrument. Others could only perceive what was immediately visible, but God was aware of my future and His intentions for me.

When God instructed Ananias to rise and proceed to the street known as Straight and lay his hands upon Saul of Tarsus, so that he might recover his sight, Ananias found it necessary to pause and exclaim, “Lord, I have heard about this individual, …and You wish me to do What? ” Ananias could only perceive Saul’s current state and not his potential transformation. Saul possessed the power to imprison or execute those who were adherents of Jesus Christ. However, the Lord communicated to Ananias, “Go, for this is a selected vessel of Mine to proclaim My name before Gentiles, Kings, and the children of Israel. ” Saul’s education and background would enable him to access places and engage with individuals that the other disciples were unable to reach.

Likewise, God has a grander purpose for your existence. Everything about you, including your appearance, the shade of your skin, the nature of your hair, the manner in which you express yourself, and the way you carry yourself, is integral to that greater design.

I encountered a narrative about a young woman who could not comprehend why her appearance was so markedly different from that of her family. While her family members had light skin and fair hair, she, in contrast, possessed a significantly darker complexion, her hair was black, and even of a distinct texture. In her early adulthood, she engaged in missionary work, primarily in Mexico, where her darker skin and hair allowed her to assimilate with the natives and gain their acceptance. God foresaw what she would become and the qualities required to fulfill her mission. To this young woman, the color of her skin and the nature of her hair rendered her an outlier, but ultimately, it was all part of God’s impeccable plan for her life.

At the time when Joshua was strategizing to assault Jericho, he initially dispatched spies to survey the city. The two men first arrived at the residence of Rahab, a prostitute, and they took shelter there. It became known that the men were present in the city, prompting the king to send guards in search of them. Scripture indicates that Rahab concealed the spies, and in doing so, she garnered favor in the sight of God. Although she may have been a harlot during that phase of her life, God had alternate plans for her. God took that outsider, whom others scorned, and positioned her within the lineage of a king. Rahab united in marriage with Salmon, and they bore a son named Boaz. Boaz married Ruth, and they had a son named Obed. Obed fathered Jesse, who had a son named David, the King, who is part of the bloodline of Jesus.

God communicated with Jeremiah, stating, “Before I created you in the womb, I recognized you. ” God was aware of your appearance, the hue of your hair, and the shade of your skin. God foresaw the errors you would commit in life even prior to their occurrence. Proverbs 16:9 asserts, “A man’s heart devises his course, but the Lord guides his steps. ” God fashioned us for a specific intention, which is to fulfill His will. Just as an automobile is crafted to appear and function in a particular manner, so too have you been designed. Your heart may navigate an alternate path to reach the destination that God has destined for you, but when you surrender control to God, that very path will ultimately lead to what He intended for you from the outset.

We have all encountered bumper stickers proclaiming, “Jesus is my co-pilot”; they seem ubiquitous. However, the issue I have with that phrase is that if Jesus is merely your co-pilot, you will never completely arrive at the place He desires you to be. Therefore, if Jesus occupies the role of your co-pilot, switch positions and allow Him to assume command, guiding you to experiences you have yet to encounter. If you permit God to take the wheel, you will never need to fret about feeling like an outsider, for He will elevate you from Zero to Hero.

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