Q: Our pastor keeps urging us to serve God, but how can I? I’m not talented at anything, and as an older person and a widow I don’t have a lot of money to give, and my health isn’t the best. I feel kind of useless, to be honest. — Mrs. N.C.

A: Listen: You aren’t useless in God’s eyes! God uses all kinds of people to accomplish His work — most of whom will never make the headlines or even be noticed by others. Paul thanked God for the Christians in Corinth, although “Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth” (1 Corinthians 1:26).

In other words, it’s a mistake to think that God only uses preachers or Bible teachers or missionaries (although we certainly should be thankful for them and uphold them in our prayers). God knows your gifts and your circumstances, and He can use you right where you are.

What can you do? First, ask God to make you an example of Christ’s love to others. All around you — even in your church — are people who are lonely or hurting, and God can use you to encourage them and let them know they are not alone. A gentle smile, a kind word, an opportunity to visit — God can use these to assure them of His love.

God can also use you in the lives of others through your prayers. I am convinced that we will never know this side of Heaven what effect our prayers have had — but God knows, and He commands us to pray for those in need. Even when we’re sick or set aside because of our age, we still can pray. Remember the Bible’s promise: “The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective” (James 5:16).

Q: How much do we have to clean up our lives before God will accept us? I know I need God’s forgiveness, but I also know I need to clean up my life before I ask Him to forgive me. I know He won’t accept me the way I am. — S.W.F.

A: How do you know God won’t accept you just as you are? The answer is — you don’t! In fact, although it may startle you, God doesn’t wait until we clean up our lives before He lets us come to Him. He accepts us just as we are!

You see, God doesn’t act toward us the way we often act toward each other. God loves us with an everlasting love — and all He requires is that we turn to Him in repentance and faith, and put our trust in Jesus Christ for our salvation. Jesus Christ was without sin, but when He was put to death on the cross, all our sins — not part of them, but all of them — were transferred to Him, and He died in our place. In Christ, the Bible says, “we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins” (Ephesians 1:7).

Rev. Billy Graham