OCU C)ISSO A Devotion 01
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MARK 1 – CAMELS HAIR
“Now John was clothed with camel’s hair and wore a leather belt around his waist and ate locusts and wild honey. 7 And he preached, saying, “After me comes he who is mightier than I, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. 8 I have baptized you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.” (Mark 1:6-8)
The commencement of God’s kingdom did not entail glamour or a visible spectacle of lights. The setting of Mark one lacks all the visual glories many church stages attempt to capture – the lights, the numbers, the awe-inspiring music. Instead, it was quite the opposite – as the gospel of Mark is introduced with John the Baptist, a vagabond servant.
John is described as one who was “clothed with camel’s hair and wore a leather belt around his waist and ate locusts and wild honey.” Perhaps, John is not much to look at. Perhaps, John does not have much to boast of. Perhaps, John lacks all the modern-day accolades one would expect from a prophesied messenger who was to introduce the Messiah, the Son of the living God.
Although John may have fallen short of one’s glorious expectations and political influence, God appointed him to introduce the most powerful person. It was a simple man that God chose to present the most dynamic message in the history of humanity as he declared that “He [Jesus] will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”
CHALLENGE
God introduced his Son to man in a most humble demonstration. At first, what was perceived by the elites as a nuisance and a vagabond at best was the introduction of their savior. What would initially be dismissed as small and insignificant became the most powerful message to man’s ears and demonstration to the world. All this was done in simple garments of camel hair and leather.
It is a misconception that God only uses influential or specially gifted people to do big things for God. Fortunately, that is quite contrary to God’s word. God uses small and insignificant things to change the world. “But God chose the foolish things of the world, that he might put to shame them that are wise; and God chose the weak things of the world, that he might put to shame the things that are strong” (1 Corinthians 1:27)
Feel small? Great — God can use you in a most spectacular way. Are you ready? God is waiting. RPF
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I strongly believe that God picks people who are destined to carry out His mission, even if they have not their purpose. The gifts the we have may be completely to others, but it indeed shows that He created us uniquely, in which through Him, we are able to discover that gift. Some are born with it naturally, but for others, I think that He shapes us first or molds us into what we are destined to do, and only then once we are fully matured in our spiritual journey, He will reveal that road for us. It doesn’t matter whether you are poor or rich, and we should not have perspective on others regarding to our flesh.
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God shows His amazing power through the things and people that He uses. He can use someone that no person would expect or think to pick as a first option, yet God can use that person in a mighty way to fulfill His purpose. I find that quite encouraging for me because God can use me even if I think I could be better at something or do more. He still chooses to use me in certain ways, and for that I am grateful. Also, this devotional reminds me of how important seemingly small things can be. The decisions we make, the way we live our lives, and what we say individually may seem small, but to God this is important. He notices every detail. With His help, we should do our best even in the small things. Those small things can be used by God in a big way. It may seem small to us, but it is big to God and that is what matters.
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I really agree with what you shared. Reading this makes me feel that we all have a unique role, even if it doesn’t seem big at first. I think that everyone has something placed in them by God, and it activates when it’s our time to use it. Sometimes, we don’t even realize the value of what we have until God puts us in the right moment or situation.
Just like how God used people who seemed small or unimportant in the world’s eyes, He can use us too. It’s encouraging to know that we don’t have to be perfect or influential for God to work through us. We need to be willing and ready when our time comes. Ecclesiastes 3:1 “For everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven”.
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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.
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