GOD CHOOSES THE THINGS THAT ARE NOT

Text: 1 Corinthians 1:26–29 (NIV)

I greet you in the powerful name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ whose glory and dominion endure forever and ever. Amen.

The Apostle Paul gives us an important reminder in 1 Corinthians 1:26:

“Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth.” (NIV)

Here, Paul calls us to “consider our calling.” Why? Because God’s method of choosing whom to use often contradicts human logic and expectations. We tend to think that for God to call someone, they must be powerful, polished, educated, and exceptional. But the Kingdom of God operates under divine paradox: strength is made perfect in weakness, and the last shall be first.

1. GOD’S CALLING IS NOT BASED ON HUMAN QUALIFICATIONS

“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 (NIV)

God doesn’t call the qualified He qualifies the called. He chose Moses, a man with a speech impediment (Exodus 4:10), to confront Pharaoh. He chose Gideon, the least in his family and tribe (Judges 6:15), to deliver Israel. He chose Mary, a humble teenage girl, to bring the Savior into the world (Luke 1:48).

God intentionally selects those society overlooks. Why? So that no one can boast in their own strength. His power and glory are made obvious when He works through weakness.

2. GOD CHOOSES THE THINGS THAT ARE “NOT”

Paul goes on to say:

“God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things and the things that are not to nullify the things that are.”
1 Corinthians 1:28 (NIV)

What does Paul mean by “things that are not”? He’s referring to people and things that the world views as non-existent or irrelevant those who have no platform, no name, no influence. Their absence from the world’s stage makes them invisible.

Let’s take a modern example. If I mention the United States or France, you’ve heard of them countless times. But if I mention Tuvalu or Kiribati, many may pause, unsure if these are even real places. They are but they are rarely spoken of, so they seem nonexistent.

In the same way, God sees those whom the world has forgotten people like David, who was out tending sheep when the prophet Samuel came to anoint Israel’s next king (1 Samuel 16:11). He wasn’t even considered by his own family but he was seen by God.

3. FEELING OVERLOOKED? YOU’RE IN GOOD COMPANY

Maybe you’ve been doubting yourself. Maybe you feel like you don’t matter you have no formal education, no notable talent, no strong social network. Maybe you’re living with a disability or feel limited in every way.

But Scripture reminds us: God is closest to those the world considers weak or unworthy. He sees you. And He may be preparing you for something greater than you can imagine if only you draw near to Him.

4. GOD’S POWER IS PERFECTED IN WEAKNESS

Paul speaks personally in 2 Corinthians 12:9–10 (NIV):

“But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’
Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.
That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties.
For when I am weak, then I am strong.”

God doesn’t need our strength to fulfill His purposes He needs our availability and surrender. The weaker we are, the more clearly His power can be seen in us.

Conclusion: GOD USES THE UNLIKELY TO DO THE UNIMAGINABLE

God specializes in using the unknown, the overlooked, and the underestimated. Why? So that the world sees His glory, not ours. So that no one may boast before Him.

So don’t disqualify yourself from God’s calling. Your past doesn’t matter. Your resume doesn’t matter. Your lack doesn’t matter.

What matters is your yes.
Your willingness.
Your surrender.

God chooses the things that are not so He can show the world what He truly is.

May the Lord bless you.

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