Diamonds in the Rough

For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God. And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, so that, as it is written, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.” 
- 1Cor 1:26-31

I’ve had the joy of discipling high-flyers, and I’ve also had the joy of discipling guys you’d never think much at first glance. Guess which has been a greater source of joy? Perhaps it’s the joy of exceeded expectations. But I think there’s more to it. The glory of God and the power of God shine MUCH brighter when someone initially unimpressive becomes something special. You know it’s not because of personality. You know it’s not because of natural leadership qualities. You know it’s not because of inherent intelligence. You know it’s undeniably God and God alone who did it. When a man prostrates himself before the feet of the Lord, submits everything, and says with all his heart “Lord, take my life, it’s all for Thee,” He takes the glass ceiling imposed by our personal limitations and shatters it.

All that to say, I’ve been recently (say, in the past year) convicted to divert my focus away from the obvious bright-shiners/high-flyers in the church and focus my search on the more easily-ignored guys who have hearts of gold beating underneath their less-than-impressive surface. There’s just something special about it. It’s much harder in the moment, but the long-term satisfaction and resultant glory to God are just too undeniable to pass up.

In every victory
let it be said of me
my source of strength
my source of hope
is Christ alone!