The Sheer Sweetness of Stuttering Prophets: Why I Marvel at God's Chosen Imperfection
Okay, friends, let’s talk about something that’s been on my heart lately: the beautiful messiness of God’s chosen messengers. We often picture prophets as these booming, flawless orators, right? But if you actually dig into scripture, you'll find some stammering, stumbling, and sometimes downright awkward individuals. And honestly? I find that incredibly comforting.
Think about Moses, for example. That guy led an entire nation out of slavery, talked directly to God on a mountaintop, and yet, he had a speech impediment! Exodus 4:10 says, “Moses said to the Lord, ‘Pardon your servant, Lord. I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since you have spoken to your servant. I am slow of speech and tongue.’” He’s literally admitting that he’s not smooth, that he struggles with words, and yet God still chose *him*. That just blows my mind! It reminds me of this time last summer when I was asked to give a reading at church. My palms were sweating, my voice was shaking, and I felt like I was going to mess up every single word. Afterwards, I was so embarrassed. I kept thinking everyone probably thought I was the most awkward person ever, but then my friend Sarah, who’s been a lifelong mentor, pulled me aside and said, “You know, sometimes our imperfections are the very things that make us relatable and draw people in. Like Moses!”
And that's the thing, isn’t it? God doesn’t need us to be perfect. He wants us to be *willing*. He’s not looking for perfectly polished people; He’s looking for open hearts. I’ve also been thinking a lot about how this applies to my own life lately. I have always struggled with public speaking; like, really struggled. Even presenting at work sometimes feels like a monumental task, and I always end up stumbling over my words or forgetting what I was going to say. It's something I’ve always been so frustrated with. But you know what? I’m starting to see it differently. It’s a reminder that I’m human, that I’m not in control, and honestly, that makes me rely on God more. It’s like He’s saying, “Okay, you’re not great at this? That’s fine. I’ll work through you anyway.”
Jeremiah is another great example. Jeremiah 1:6 says, “'Alas, Sovereign Lord,’ I said, ‘I do not know how to speak; I am too young.’" He's basically like, “God, you've got the wrong guy! I'm just a kid who can't talk well." He was practically begging God to choose someone else, someone more qualified. But God still used him. It makes you wonder, right? What qualities is God truly valuing, if not perfection? Perhaps He's looking for vulnerability, for a willingness to be used even when we're feeling inadequate. Maybe it’s because our weaknesses allow His strength to shine through. It’s almost like God designed us that way, knowing we’d struggle in those areas, because that creates the space for Him to act.
This idea has really impacted how I approach my daily interactions, too. I used to try to be so put together, always having the right answers and saying the right things. But now, I’m trying to be more authentic. If I don’t know something, I admit it. If I’m struggling, I say so. It’s freeing, honestly. And I’ve found that people actually respond to that more than my attempts at perfection. It reminds me of how Jesus reached out to the outcasts, the broken, the people who weren’t “perfect” by society’s standards. He saw their hearts, just like God sees ours.
So, yeah, the stuttering prophets might not seem like the most polished messengers at first glance. But when you really consider it, their struggles are a testament to God’s incredible grace and our own inherent humanness. They remind us that God doesn’t need perfection, he just needs our hearts. And that, friends, is truly sweet.
What areas of your own life might you be trying to perfect, instead of leaning into God's strength through your imperfections?