Pastor Rick Warren of Saddleback Church is on the second week of his new sermon series called "The Miracle of Mercy," and his message now is that God has great plans for everybody in His ministry.
"No other experience in your life even comes close to this feeling [of being used by God], and if you haven't felt it, I feel sad for you," Warren says.
The pastor says there is more to life than just growing up, getting an education, making money, retiring, then dying, according to The Gospel Herald.
"You were shaped to serve God, and when you understand that, you find fulfilment and come alive," Warren says.
When that special moment comes, Warren says people can't help but feel alive because they will finally be serving something bigger than themselves.
Some people mistakenly assume that only those who are prayerful and devout will be called by God to service, but Warren says that God can use anybody. Some people might fear being used because they feel "disqualified or unqualified" due to past mistakes, sins, poor decisions, or lack of talents and opportunities.
But Warren says people should never underestimate the power of God's mercy. When His calling comes, all people need to do is be true to themselves and focus on the thought that they are serving Jesus Christ, not themselves.
"You were made to make a contribution in life," says Warren. "God only uses flawed, broken, weak, sinful people because there are no perfect human beings. We're like clay jars in which God puts his treasures."
It's important for people to be open and honest about their personal weaknesses, because this might even help others who are going through the same ordeals. Warren also said that every saint has a past, and every sinner has a future as well.
"Deciding to go 'all-in' versus being a causal Christian will make the difference in a transformative life," says Warren.
