When thinking of John the Baptist standing out in the wilderness, clad in camel’s hair, surviving on locusts, and preaching without an ounce of glamour, it reminds me that God rarely works through what the world finds impressive. John had no status, no polished image, and nothing that would make him stand out in today’s culture. Yet God chose him to introduce Jesus, the most powerful and transformative figure in history. John’s only qualification was his obedience, and his entire life pointed away from himself and toward Christ. That challenges me because I oftentimes feel like I need to be more put together or more influential before God can use me.

The humble beginning of God’s kingdom shows me that God delights in working through what seems small and insignificant. If He used a rough, desert preacher in camel hair to deliver the greatest message ever proclaimed, then my limitations are not barriers but openings for His power. When I feel ordinary or inadequate, that may actually be the reason God can use me. Like John, I do not need to be impressive; I only need to be available. So I offer myself-my simplicity, my flaws, and my “camel hair”-trusting that God can do something meaningful through a willing heart.