Make No Mistake

Nov 4, 2021

In my freshman year of college, I struggled my way through an introductory chemistry course.

Humanities have always been my natural bend, so trying to wrap my head around isotopes and other chem-related topics was a challenge. At the end of the semester, I had an 89.4% - I needed an A on my final exam to maintain my perfect GPA. After an excruciating all-nighter, I took the test, and, despite my best efforts, I was sure that I had barely passed. Much to my surprise, I checked my grade online a few days later and saw that I had received 100% on the final. I immediately emailed my professor, explaining that there must have been a mistake when inputting the grades. He responded back with a simple, “No mistake! Well done :)”

I don’t tell you this story to brag about my chemistry skills, I promise you they aren’t that impressive.

I tell it because I think someone reading this today thinks that there’s been a mistake, and it’s time to clear it up.

In 1 Samuel 16, God anointed David, a young, unassuming shepherd boy. God chose him, not because he looked the part, or had the skill. God chose him, according to His plan.

10 Jesse had seven of his sons pass before Samuel, but Samuel said to him, “The Lord has not chosen these.”

11 So he asked Jesse, “Are these all the sons you have?”

“There is still the youngest,” Jesse answered. “He is tending the sheep.”

Samuel said, “Send for him; we will not sit down until he arrives.”

12 So he sent for him and had him brought in. He was glowing with health and had a fine appearance and handsome features.

Then the Lord said, “Rise and anoint him; this is the one.”

13 So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and from that day on the Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon David…

- 1 Samuel 16:10-13

I’m sure David and his family felt the same shock I felt when I saw my chemistry grade.

“There’s no way! I don’t have what it takes! It couldn’t be me!”

But the Lord doesn’t make mistakes. His plan doesn’t require our preparation or finite human understanding.

He chooses us, not in spite of our weaknesses, but exactly because of them. He lets His glory shine in our darkest moments and is drawn closest to us in the places where we think we are a failure.

God looks at the dirtiest parts of David, and of you and me, and picks us to be part of His plan for mankind. So often, our shame and insecurity lie to us. We doubt that God could use us, we scoff at the thought that there is anything left for us. We assume that our past, our sin, our struggle disqualify us from making an eternal impact.

God is inviting you into something greater today. He wants to anoint you. He wants to use you, because of your weaknesses. He wants to change the world through you.

You can question it. You can insist to Him that you aren’t enough, that you’ll never measure up, that there’s no way you could fit the part. You can try to tell him that He’s made a mistake.

And He’ll look back at you and whisper, “No mistake, my child. Well done.”

God doesn’t make mistakes. He created you on purpose with a purpose. Not in spite of your shortcomings, but because of them. He will use even the dirtiest parts for His kingdom.

Will you let Him?

Romans 5 tells us, “While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8).

Don’t doubt the truth of the gospel. His blood was shed for you at your weakest. He doesn’t make mistakes.