Last week, I sat in a funeral.
In the middle of his eulogy of the beautiful woman we were remembering, a large suited preacher man with a tie as red as my nephew’s toy fire engine said something I’ll never forget. He was talking about how God can use even the most inadequate people to serve Him, of which category he included himself in. As this once young, red-tied preacher man felt God calling him to preach back in the day, he argued his inadequacies to God. The following is the answer he shared that in that moment, God spoke to his heart…
“Son…I can draw a straight line with a crooked stick.”
Rarely have I heard a line more impactful. As I sat and heard that phrase spoken, I couldn’t help but think about my own status as a crooked stick. I thought about how ill equipped I am — how unqualified I am to do anything more significant than breathe.
And then I thought about how wise God is to already know that fact. I thought about how kind He is to see the inadequacy, yet not change His mind about my potential. I thought about how able He is to take something crooked and draw something straight.
I am the first to admit that I am a broken, not very usable, woman. My journey has not exactly been smooth sailing. And in case you ever get the idea that I have, for one second, had it all together, let me just say that I am really glad you don’t have the eyes of God or you would have by now seen different.
But what I do know is that God doesn’t need me to be perfect so He can do what He wants to do through me.
At some point in all of our lives, we have to get over the idea that we need to do anything other than surrender our lives to God to be used by Him. We can’t will our way into being usable. We can’t work our way into being good or capable enough.
There is great comfort in not focusing on how crooked my stick really is. Instead, when I am tempted to disqualify myself in the Jesus cause, I think about that straight line He is able to draw, despite my bent self.
For it is in those realizations of our inadequacy that we learn how usable we really are.
Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don’t try to figure out everything on your own. 
Listen for God’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; he’s the one who will keep you on track. — Prov. 3:5-6 (MSG)
Resources…
Behind Those Eyes: What’s Really Going on Inside the Souls of Women by Lisa Whittle
Something else…
Click here to brainstorm how you can use your gifts that God gave you!
Lisa Whittle is a woman in dire need of either a nanny or a serious calendar-savvy friend. Most days, she can’t keep anything straight. Good thing she broke up with perfection a while back. Check out Lisa’s website at www.lisawhittle.com.
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I too am an less-than-perfect crooked stick. Thank you for the image. I’m sure it will stay with me for awhile!
So glad it blessed you, Meg. I am with you on this non-perfection journey!
Lisa
very encouraging and i am on this non- perfection journey also.
Spending most of my life in a protected Christian bubble, it is easy to use rationalizations for life-planning because coincidences have to be God’s handiwork! A lot has come together for me through no other hand than His, but this is a great reminder that once I commit to God, He will commit to my future. He is the planner, I am the task force. Thanks for the awesome reminder in such a day-to-day world!
Your best yet, IMO. But I’m a a way crooked stick, with stripped bark and splinters. But there ya go. In the Shepherds hands we become something usable. Love you. Awesome post.
Lisa, Thanks for sharing your encouarging devotion! Even in my life it’s been rough, but I have to trust in God knowing that his direction is always best!
Lisa I completely understand how you feel.I feel like the most wretched person on the face of the earth.I often wonder why our Heavenly Father even bothers to try with me.I know He loves me but I mess up so much everyday.Please pray for me and I will do the same for you.I love you in Jesus name.
Hey friends –
I came across this verse this morning in my reading of the Word — thought it was appropriate for this inspirational entry and conversation…
“Remember, dear brother and sisters, that few of you were wise in the world’s eyes or powerful, or wealthy when God called you.” (I Cor. 1:26 NLT) Paul was talking to the people in the church in Corinth here, and I think it’s a good reminder for us today to know that all of us are in the same boat when God calls us to do something. It reminded me that it is God’s power that uses our broken lives, not our willpower to be important.
Keep the thoughts coming! Love the transparency.