In 1 Samuel 16, God tasked Samuel with identifying the next king of Israel. He told him it would be one of the sons of Jesse.
When Samuel arrived at Bethlehem, he took one look at the tall and handsome Eliab and thought he must be the one.
But God said no...he may appear to be the most likely to succeed...but he's not my choice.
Down the line Samuel went...seven sons...seven likely choices...seven "no's" from God.
"Any more sons?" Samuel asked. There was one more...but he was the youngest. Given the lowly job of watching the stinky, dirty sheep...was David...the most unlikely child to be chosen as king. So unlikely they didn't even bother bringing him to the draft. But God made it clear to Samuel that David was the one.
If a vote were taken, who would be considered the most unlikely kid to succeed in your ministry? You know...the kid no one thinks will make it. The kid that's an outcast. The kid that comes from a horrible home life. The kid that withdraws and doesn't want to participate. The kid that none of the other kids like. The kid that the teachers consider a "troublemaker." The kid that acts out in class. The kid that is known by the other kids as a "loser." The kid that isn't popular.
That's the kid God has His eye on. That's the kid God has big plans for. That's the kid God wants to use in unbelievable ways.
God loves to take the most unlikely to succeed and turn them into success stories through His power. (tweet this)Paul said it so well in 1 Corinthians 1.
"Remember, dear brothers and sisters, that few of you were wise in the world’s eyes or powerful or wealthy when God called you. 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. God chose things despised by the world, things counted as nothing at all, and used them to bring to nothing what the world considers important. As a result, no one can ever boast in the presence of God."
May God give us His eyes to see the great plans He has for the unlikely kids in our ministry. May we listen to His voice as He guides us to the unlikely kids He has chosen to use in unbelievable ways. May we be like Samuel and speak words of encouragement, anointing and blessings into their lives.
