Selection?

This is not my own, but is something I came across a while back, and it made me smile. Under the premise of the following, Jesus' choice of disciples wouldn't have been approved of by psychologists or business consultants, except for one. Yet we must never forget that God says: ' "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the Lord. "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts." ' Isaiah 55:9



Dear Sir

Thank you for submitting the names of the twelve men you have picked for management in your new organisation. All of them have now taken our battery of tests; we have not only run the results through our computer, but also arranged personal interviews for each of them with our psychologist and vocational aptitude consultant.

It is the staff opinion that most of your nominees are lacking in background, education and vocational aptitude for the type of enterprise you are undertaking. They do not have the team concept. We would recommend that you continue your search for persons of experience in managerial ability and proven capability.

Simon Peter is emotionally unstable and given to fits of temper. Andrew has absolutely no qualities of leadership. The two brothers, James and John, the sons of Zebedee, place personal interest above company loyalty. Thomas demonstrates a questioning attitude that would tend to undermine morale. We feel it is our duty to tell you that the Greater Jerusalem Better Business Bureau has blacklisted Matthew. James, the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus definitely have radical leanings, and they both registered a high score on the manic-depressive scale.

One of the candidates, however, shows great potential. He is a man of ability and resourcefulness, meets people well, has a keen business mind and has contacts in high places. He is highly motivated, ambitious and responsible. We recommend Judas Iscariot as your controller and right-hand man. All of the other profiles are self-explanatory.

We wish you every success in your new venture.
Yours sincerely


Therefore, the example of the disciples is a great encouragement to me, in that God still calls ordinary people who mess things up, and aren't worthy for the task they have been called to. A verse that a friend gave me last night fits in here most appropriately: 'I can do everything through him who gives me strength.' (Philippians 4:13)