Justin March leads the Bethany Lutheran Church Men’s Ministry and sends a weekly email message to the Men’s group every week.  Justin has generously permitted us to post his weekly reflections here.

Am I worthy? Have I
put in the efforts needed to be deserving of the position I have at work? Have
I loved my children and taught them what it means to be a good Father? Have I
shown my spouse the respect needed to make this a lifelong companionship? Have I
been a good brother? Have I been a good uncle? Have I been a good son? Have I
been a good friend? So many “Have I” questions and if I am honest with myself,
the answers are not always clear.

 So, if I am unsure of
the answers to the questions above, what makes me think I am worthy to be a
disciple for Christ? What makes me think I can be His hands and feet in this
broken world, when I have no idea if I am doing enough in my own life? These
are questions I ask myself more often than I would like to admit, but when I am
feeling unworthy, all l need to do is take a quick look at the 12 disciples
Jesus chose when He spent His time on Earth.

 Jesus’ “chosen” 12
were not the educated, noble, or kings of the lands. They were ordinary people,
flawed in character, with many questions just like the ones above. There was
arrogance, doubt, denial, fear, and betrayal among them. They were a group of
sinners who were not “worthy” when being chosen by Jesus. Yet, these are the
men Jesus chose to walk with Him during His short time on Earth. The men He
trusted to spread His word. And the men He used to bring others closer to God
despite the flaws and failings each one of them exhibited.

 Am I worthy? A fair
question to ponder, but not one Jesus asks. He understands we are not perfect,
and He knows we have flaws, yet He asks us to be His disciples anyway. He asks
us to go out in this broken world and spread the good news. He asks us to love
each other, take care of one another, and reach out to those that are hurting and
lost. Even when we are unsure of the answers to the questions above, even when
we feel unworthy, and even when we do not think we can be His hands and feet in
this world, Jesus tells us we can! He knows we can, and he empowers us with His
Holy Spirit to be the disciples He needs us to be!

 Am I worthy? The
answer is yes! We just need to pray, spend time in His word, and be ourselves.
We need to take His hand, listen to what He has to offer, and be bold in these
trying times. He will give us the armor needed, He will shine His light through
us, and He will protect us as we go out and do His work. Have faith, show
grace, and love like your life depends on it. Jesus has chosen us and nothing
makes us more worthy than when we do His work and bring others to find their
paths that lead to Him!