“God can use anybody to do His will” is a popular opinion, but for what? I’m not entirely convinced it applies in all contexts. In 2015, after intense agitation over who should be declared the next president of Nigeria, a winner emerged. I vividly recall an excited individual saying, “Who told you God cannot use an unbeliever for His works? God can use anybody to do His will”. Today, he’s not as excited; we’ve all seen and can see how far God uses anybody.

However, there is a distinction between being used by God and being aligned with His purpose. “All things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose” – Rom. 8:28. In Nigeria, any university graduate can be deployed to the classroom to teach. However, when it comes to addressing health challenges, only medical graduates are assigned to handle such matters. The difference lies in the purpose and significance of the assignment.

“Nevertheless, the foundation of God stands sure, having this seal, The Lord knows them that are His. Let every one that names the name of Christ depart from iniquity. In a great house, there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and earth; some to honour, and some to dishonour. If a man, therefore, purges himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work” – 2 Tim. 2:19-21. When the matters of Kingdom legislation arise, call-up is not by availability but by usability. We must be sanctified, meet (up to standard) and ready.

“But who may abide the day of his coming? Who shall stand when he appears? He is like a refiner's fire, and like fullers' soap: And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the LORD an offering in righteousness” – Mal. 3:2-3.

The glory of every vessel lies in the correct usage.