Strange choices

 

One of the hardest tasks that I had as a General Manager for different companies over four decades was to spend hours poring over resumes and letters of recommendation, looking for the “right” person to hire.  The concept of hiring is simple.  The needs of a position are matched with an applicant’s adequate credentials are the key to a perfect ‘fit.’  I like to think that most of the time I got it right.  But I also made some choices that in hindsight made me question my own skill in proper screening, although more than a few of those initially “iffy” hires turned out to be outstanding performers over time. 

Nobody knows for sure what the conversation was on the night when Jesus spent hours “in communion with God” (Luke 6:12-19), but I look on with amazement at “the Twelve” whom He selected from the disciples to be His most intimate followers and co-laborers.  Of the twelve, here is a sampling of their “job performance”:  one denied knowing Him when questioned about their relationship (Matthew 26:69-75), two others were hot-tempered and rash (“Call down fire from heaven to destroy them!” [Luke 9:54]), one wouldn’t believe without seeing (John 20:24-25), and one, finally, betrayed Him, handing Him over to those who would put Him to death Matthew 26:47-56).  It sounds a lot like my own experience in hiring! 

But something else is being said in this Gospel, as I reflect on it.  With the exception of the last, all underwent remarkable transformations, conversions, leading them to become fearless proclaimers of the Name, even to their own deaths.  What are we to make of this?  A well-known phrase sums it up:  If it’s true that God often calls those who are qualified, it’s also true that He “qualifies” those whom He calls.

There’s encouragement here for all those who have been called, no matter what the “calling” is.  God often provides “on the job” training, drawing out of us whatever we didn’t know was there, transforming us into His instruments in ways we couldn’t possibly imagine.  When faced with their inadequacies, all of the Apostles “with one exception” acknowledged their weakness and professed their faith anew.  Therein is found the seed of conversion and deeper witness.  Peter’s “Lord, you know that I love you” (John 21:15-19) and Thomas’ “My Lord and my God” (John 20:28) show us how to respond in the face of our own inadequacies and failures.

May we, as we discover our shortcomings, allow the Lord to “qualify” us for the task to which He’s called us.