God's Smuggler

David Clarkson
Outside Reading
November 28, 2016

"Instead, God chose things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise. And he chose things that are powerless to shame those who are powerful." (1 Corinthians 1:27)
I've just started reading a novel about an ordinary human being, one whom many people during his lifetime considered to be very weak. Despite his apparent worldly weaknesses, this man, known today as Brother Andrew, did some extraordinary things for the Kingdom. He came back from war both wounded to a point where he would probably never walk again, and more ashamed of the things that he had done, than he ever thought he would be able to overcome. Given numerous chances throughout his life to get it all together by an abundance of excellent influences, he could not get it right. Finally, on his knees, after an entire day in prayer, he completely surrendered his life to the Lord, despite his seemingly infinite obstacles. He promised to follow God in complete faith, that He was bigger than the small obstacles he thought he was facing. Not only did God miraculously heal his ankle that day, but He also used this man to be a bridge to the lost men and women in 'closed' Islamic countries. Why does God use the weak? I believe the answer to that is found in 2 Corinthians 12:9, where we learn that Christ's power is made perfect in our weakness. Those who are weak, know they need to rely on God, and obediently humble themselves to do so. When we do this, admitting our inadequacy and vulnerabilities, Christ will fill our weakness with His power, just like he did for Brother Andrew.