A story is told of an interview someone once had with singer/songwriter Rich Mullins. I can’t find a source on it right now, so I can’t vouch for its veracity, but true or not, the story has something to say to us.

It is said that, in this interview, Mullins was asked how it felt to be used so greatly by God. His response was that God can use anyone — he used Nebuchudnezzar and others — and that he considered it a far greater honor to be loved by God.

Today, I was reading in the gospel of John, and 11:51 jumped out at me.

(49) But one of them, Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, said to them, "You know nothing at all. (50) Nor do you understand that it is better for you that one man should die for the people, not that the whole nation should perish." (51) He did not say this of his own accord, but being high priest that year he prophesied tha tJesus would die for the nation, (52) and not for the nation only, but also to gather into one the children of God who are scattered abroad. (53) So from that day on they made plans to put him to death. (John 11:49-53 ESV)

Caiaphas. One of the plotters against Christ, the conspirators in the murder of the son of God. Yet God still used him, even in a prophetic role.

What of it? This should be frightening, and humbling. God uses various people in various ways, and works by means that seem to violate our basic ideas of how the world should work. Why should God give a spirit of prophecy to one who is fighting against Him with his very core? Why did Saul prophesy? Scripture tells us that he did, yet there’s little indication that his heart was every very right with God.

This should be at once frightening and encouraging. On the one hand, the fact that God is using someone does not imply that their heart is right with Him. This is true even if it seems like the particular working requires rightness with God.

On the other hand, God is sovereign, and is capable of using any thing, at any time, for His purposes.