Indeed, there is not a righteous man on earth who continually does good and who never sins. -Ecclesiastes 7:20 (NASB)

For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. -Romans 3:23 (NLT)

In the singing talent competition show American Idol, two different contestants in two different seasons fell short of winning on the Idol stage…but went on to winning on God’s stage. In 2006, Mandisa Hundley was in the final 12 contestants, finally being knocked out in ninth place. In 2009, Danny Gokey also made the final 12, taking third place overall.

Both went on to the contemporary Christian music industry, and God uses them mightily through their music to move hearts and connect them to the Lord.

On a larger scale, we are all like them: we may or may not take the top place by human standards, and we all fall short of God’s glorious standard, but we are perfect for God’s use to make Him known.

We are like the ragtag, motley bunch of men Jesus had for apostles. We are sometimes like the complaining Israelites before Him. We are like Mandisa and Danny Gokey. We’re imperfect.

God takes us, imperfections and all, because we are perfectly usable for His perfect plans and purposes.

Today’s soundtrack

Mandisa’s “Overcomer” and Danny Gokey’s “Hope In Front Of Me” are two signature hits God uses to reach our hearts in a far different and deeper way than secular music ever could.