Natsuki Subaru has been transported to another world! After three seasons of fighting for the ideal future, he faces even more difficulties in season four of Re:Zero, and these experiences start to leave him feeling confused and alone. He becomes riddled with self-doubt, throwing around words like “pathetic,” “useless,” and “good-for-nothing.” Then, in episode eleven, he begins to wonder why his companions are so kind to him and why they believe in him. “Why does it have to be me? Someone far stronger or smarter can do it.” He sees “Natsuki Subaru” as someone undeserving of everyone’s kindness and not good enough for everyone to have such high expectations of him.
These feelings are something that a lot of believers can relate to, including me. And they are even something we see in Scripture. When Moses was called by God to stand up to Pharaoh and bring the Lord’s people out of slavery in Egypt, he doubted himself. Exodus 3:11 (ESV) records, “But Moses said to God, ‘I am nobody. How can I go to the king and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?’” The farmer Gideon shared similar doubts in Judges 6:15 when given his mission from the Lord. And then there is Saul, who God chose as the first king of Israel in 1 Samuel 10; however, when it was time to announce this to the people, Saul was found hiding with the baggage. They all had these doubts because they were judging themselves by the world’s standards and felt inadequate. The world values people who are strong, smart, charismatic, good-looking, wealthy, etc. Even church culture can get wrapped up in this view, placing more value in those who can draw in a crowd or who possess grand gifts.
But God does not judge our value according to our personal standards or those of the world. God sees value in us that even we may not be able to see. He is the one who intentionally created us and knows us better than we know ourselves. He loves each of us for who we are as individuals and designs a unique plan specifically for our lives.
Like Natsuki Subaru, we may not always feel suited to carry out His work; we may only see our flaws. But what does Scripture say? In the earlier examples, God’s promise was “I will be with you.” Rather than give up on us, the Lord sticks by our side and supports us through it. Just like Subaru’s companions choose him in all his weaknesses, vulnerabilities, and doubts, God still chooses us even knowing that we are inadequate in many ways. We are not chosen because we are the strongest, smartest, most charismatic, best-looking, wealthiest, or have already proven ourselves, but because God sees our worth as beings created in His image. Regardless of our strengths or our flaws, He is able to use us for great things. “For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God” (1 Cor 1:26-29).
So let’s remember whenever we feel doubt, we have a perfect Father who loves His creation and supports us in our shortcomings.
A big thank you to Guest Writer Joli for sharing these encouraging insights with us!
