But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong.

1 Corinthians 1:27

The Christmas story is filled with unlikely characters and unexpected heroes. When we picture the birth of a King, we might imagine a grand procession of dignitaries and a welcome from the powerful elite. But God’s kingdom operates on an “upside-down” logic. Instead of choosing the strong and the influential, He consistently chooses the weak and the despised to carry out His greatest work. The shepherds, who were social outcasts, were the first to hear the good news. And the Magi—foreign astrologers and interpreters of dreams—were among the first to worship the newborn Savior. They were not Jewish, and their practices would have been condemned by the very people God had chosen. Yet, God used them to herald Jesus' arrival to the world.

This truth should be a profound source of peace and hope for us. It means that God’s power is not contingent on our own strength, our intelligence, or our social standing. He delights in using what the world considers insignificant or flawed to accomplish His perfect will. The very weaknesses we try to hide or overcome may be the exact tools God wants to use for His glory this season. The unhurried Christian life is one that accepts this divine principle, releasing the pressure to be perfect and instead, offering our authentic, imperfect selves to God. When we come to Him with our vulnerabilities, He can work through us in ways we could never have imagined.

Look at your personal weaknesses or flaws and ask God how He might use them for His glory this season.

Questions for Reflection

1. What is one personal weakness or flaw that you often try to hide from others or from God?

2. How might that very weakness actually be a unique tool for God to show His strength and power through you?

3. How does the reality that God uses "unlikely tools" change your perspective on what you have to offer this Christmas season?