An Odd Choice – Looks Not Important

Leo Tolstoy’s beauty resided in his brain,  not in his face. Looking every inch the peasant instead of the patrician he actually was, he invariably disappointed those who saw him. His broad nose and thick lips offended many who had developed an idealized profile from his novels. Visitors would wait for hours to see him, only to wish they hadn’t. Socrates was said to be the homeliest of Greeks, yet was perhaps the wisest of his nation. Ulysses S. Grant was a markedly unmilitary-looking general; he was very ordinary-looking, in fact. Yet he fought like a Bengal tiger.

God considers two factors in recruiting servants: (1) the particular ministry needs; and (2) the person who perfectly fits the servant profile. God chose Abraham because he was the only man alive who would outwait unbelief to gain his patrimony. He chose Noah because only he could see thunderstorms in skies that had never floated a cloud. He chose David because although king-designate, he was willing to serve as public enemy number one. He chose Hannah because she freely surrendered her only hope of happiness just as she had promised she would. He chose Ezekiel because no one else would act like a lunatic in order to bring Israel to her senses. He chose Mary because she alone believed that God could outwit the law of human regeneration.

God has numerous ministries that need to be serviced. Which one of us would be willing to offer our résumé to check against the servant-profile?

For He grew up before Him like a tender shoot, And like a root out of parched ground; He has no stately form or majesty That we should look upon Him, Nor appearance that we should be attracted to Him. – Isaiah 53:2.

And Stephen, full of grace and power, was performing great wonders and signs among the people. – Acts 6:8.

Philip went down to the city of Samaria and began proclaiming Christ to them. – Acts 8:5.