Updated from original post published in May 2023

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Have you ever looked back on your life and thought, “There’s no way God can use me now”?

Maybe you’re in a new season—retired, refocused, or run down—and you wonder if your past mistakes, missed opportunities, or current limitations disqualify you from being part of anything meaningful.

But here’s the truth:

You were handcrafted by God with purpose. And He never stopped planning good works for you to walk in with Him. (Ephesians 2:10)

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The Problem We All Share

All of us are flawed people. It wasn’t meant to be this way—but God gave us free will, and with that came the ability to make poor choices along with the good ones. We’ve all had moments where we failed, even with the best intentions.

The Bible says it clearly:

“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”
—Romans 3:23

That means no one is better than anyone else. We’ve all done things we shouldn’t have—and that includes the people sitting in churches.

That’s why it’s sometimes said that churches are full of hypocrites. And in a way, that’s true.

Because churches are full of sinners. People who mess up. People who know they need grace. People like you and me.

“There is no one righteous, not even one.”
—Romans 3:10

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Depending on His Grace

Even if you aren’t “religious,” you probably know the basis of the Christian faith: that Jesus Christ—God in human form—lived a perfect life and died for our sins, past, present and future. He took upon Himself all the blame and judgment that we deserve. But He didn’t stay dead; He rose again, defeating sin and death.

Because of us. Because He loves us.

Becoming a Christian means accepting that gift. When you believe Jesus died for you and confess Him as Lord, your sin is washed away, and you receive eternal life (Romans 6:23; Romans 10:9). You also receive the Holy Spirit—your comforter, teacher, and guide—and a peace and joy that only God can give. (Romans 15:13)

But even then, you won’t be perfect.
You’ll still stumble.
You’ll still wonder if you’re good enough.
And that’s okay.

Because your calling doesn’t depend on your perfection—it depends on His grace.

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Imperfect People, Crafted for a Purpose

So how can flawed people like us still be used by God?

Because flaws don’t disqualify us—grace qualifies us.

There’s a popular quote that says, “God doesn’t call the qualified; He qualifies the called.” It’s true. Our broken stories, our regrets, and our weaknesses often become the very places God uses to bring healing, help, and hope to others.

“And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times,
having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.”
—2 Corinthians 9:8

“And my God will meet all your needs according
to the riches of His glory in Christ Jesus.”
—Philippians 4:19

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The Bible is Filled of Imperfect People

If you’ve ever wondered what kind of person God can use, look at the people He chose who are in the Bible:

From the Old Testament:

• Abraham was too old, and Sarah laughed and doubted God. (Genesis 18)
• Jacob was a liar and a thief. (Genesis 27)
• Joseph was trafficked and abused. (Genesis 37)
• Moses stuttered and was afraid to speak. (Exodus 4)
• Rahab was a sex worker. (Joshua 2)
• Gideon was insecure and hesitant. (Judges 6)
• Samson was a trickster and womanizer. (Judges 14–15)
• Naomi was a grieving widow, and her daughter-in-law Ruth was a foreigner. (Ruth 1)
• Abigail was trapped in a bad marriage. (1 Samuel 25)
• David had an affair and committed murder. (2 Samuel 11)
• Elijah was depressed and suicidal. (1 Kings 19)
• Nehemiah was in exile and worked a dead-end job. (Nehemiah 1)
• Job lost everything and battled physical suffering. (Job 1–2)
• Jeremiah thought he was too young. (Jeremiah 1)
• Jonah ran away from God. (Jonah 1)

From the New Testament:

• John the Baptist was eccentric and wild. (Matthew 3)
• Mary Magdalene had been demon-possessed. (Luke 8)
• Martha worried about everything. (Luke 10)
• Zacchaeus was height deficient and a tax collector. (Luke 19)
• The Samaritan woman had five ex-husbands. (John 4)
• The disciples fell asleep while Jesus prayed. (Luke 22)
• Peter denied Jesus three times. (Luke 22)
• Paul persecuted Christians. (Acts 9)
• And Lazarus? Well, he was dead. (John 11)

Even Judas, who betrayed Jesus, played a role in God’s ultimate plan. (Proverbs 19:21)

This list is often shared online in various forms—but it reminds us that God doesn’t need perfection to do His work. He simply needs our yes.

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Strength in Weakness

Paul, who went from persecutor to preacher, never pretended to be perfect. Despite his education and passion, he admitted his dependence on God’s strength:

“But He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you,
for my power is made perfect in weakness.’”
—2 Corinthians 12:9

“I can do all this through Him who gives me strength.”
—Philippians 4:13

And the same is true for us. You are capable—not because you’re flawless, but because you’re filled with the Spirit of God.

You’ve been crafted in His grace, and His divine power has given you everything you need for life and godliness. (2 Peter 1:3)

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Your Story Isn’t Over

If you’re in a season of wondering whether your life still matters, let this be your reminder:

God still has work for you to do.
Not in spite of your imperfections—but through them.

So don’t disqualify yourself. You’ve been crafted with care, and your story—messy, beautiful, and redeemed—can bless someone else.

“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do
good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”
—Ephesians 2:10

Journaling Prompt:
Think about a time when you felt disqualified or “not enough” to be used by God. How might your past mistakes or current weaknesses be the very things God wants to use for His purpose? Ask Him to show you how your story can bless someone else.

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Disclosure: Scripture taken from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION ®. Copyright©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™. Used by permission of Zondervan

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