Apollos also was “showing from the Scriptures that Jesus is the Christ.” Under the empowering tutelage of Aquila and Priscilla, he had gained the knowledge necessary to prove the deity of Jesus “from the Scriptures” in such a way that the Jews could not answer him. No doubt because of his ministry, many, many people came to the faith.

From this powerful story in Acts 18, there are lessons for us. We are who we are because someone empowered us. Who has empowered you? A parent, a coach, a teacher, a spouse, another family member? 

Most of all, I am who I am because of the Lord Jesus. With Paul, from today’s verse, I can say, “But by the grace of God I am what I am.” I write this to you only by God’s grace. More than anyone else, Jesus empowers my life. When we seek to empower others, we follow in the Savior’s steps.

Have you ever noticed in Scripture how God used the most unlikely people? When Samuel came to Jesse’s house to anoint one of his sons as king, the Lord said to the prophet, “But the Lord said to Samuel, Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees. For man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.” 

God does not look for the most talented, the most gifted or the most likely to do anything. He looks at the heart and sees hidden potential in the least likely people. God wants to use you. Take hope in this thought today.