God is not searching for the most talented. He is searching for the most willing. The world celebrates ability. God celebrates availability. We look at degrees and platforms, but God looks at the heart. The scripture says, “For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7)
Also, the scripture says, “For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him” (2 Chronicles 16:9). God is scanning the earth right now, not for superstars but for surrendered and willing hearts. He is searching for someone who will say, “Here am I; send me” (Isaiah 6:8).
A willing heart is all God needs. One willing heart can change a village. One willing heart can raise a generation. History is not made by the most qualified. It is made by those who said yes when it was easier to say no. We see this all through Scripture. Moses said, “I am slow of speech” (Exodus 4:10). Jeremiah said, “I am a child” (Jeremiah 1:6). Gideon said, “My clan is the weakest” (Judges 6:15).
God did not argue with them. He only asked for willingness. He says, “My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9). God is never limited by your limitation. He is only limited by your hesitation. If we are willing, God can do amazing things with us. This was the case of Marleen Van Asselt, a friend of mine who defies all the odds to impact lives.
Madam Marleen, as I usually call her, was eight years old when a missionary visited her school and shared a testimony about his mission field. In that moment, something stirred up in my friend’s heart. She felt a clear call to become a missionary herself. It was just a visit by a missionary, but as a little girl, she heard more than a story. She heard a call from God. Other children might have forgotten, but in her case, a seed was planted in her heart.
The scripture says, “Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou hast ordained strength” (Psalm 8:2). That seed stayed with her. It grew through her teenage years. Years later, in 1992, she finally stepped out. She was still a young adult. She was not sure if she could handle that kind of life. So she embarked on a six-month visit. During those six months, God gave her confirmation. This was His call. Not just her ambition. The scripture says, “In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths” (Proverbs 3:6).
Even then, there was another hurdle. She was medically advised not to go to the tropics due to challenges with her health. Every medical advisor said no, but deep in her spirit, she knew if God had called her, He would sustain her. The scripture says, “They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength” (Isaiah 40:31). So she went back to the Netherlands. She did her tropical courses, and she returned.
When God plants you somewhere, your heart will not let you stay away. For the next ten years, she served as a public health nurse. She served with the Presbyterian Church of Ghana. First in Sandema. Then in Salaga. She bandaged wounds. She taught mothers. She walked dusty roads. She reached people no one else could reach. The scripture says, “How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings” (Isaiah 52:7).
However, Dutch policy said she had to leave after ten years. The system said her time was up. Her heart said she was not done. So she stayed. She started Foundation Onyame. She came to Olebu, a village near Accra, to start it. Not empty-handed but with a family already forming. She came with one biological child, one adopted child, and three foster children from Salaga in the northern part of Ghana.
Though she moved to the south of Ghana, she still felt called to continue rendering support to the people in the north. Today, every child, elder, and family under the foundation has their health insurance paid. She provides microcredits and training to women, free education from pre-school to SHS, and a revolving loan at the vocational and university level. She feeds the blind, deaf, and abandoned elderly monthly in the North.
The scripture says, “Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this: to visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction” (James 1:27). In Olebu, it started in a small store in her home. Neighbours knew she was a nurse. There was no clinic nearby. People came to be treated. She helped. Ten years later, after prayers and persistence, Foundation Onyame Maternity Home officially opened in 2018.
Today, by the grace of God, it has grown into a full clinic. The scripture says, “Except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it” (Psalm 127:1). Two to three eras of children have passed through her foster homes. Some are working now, married and giving back to society.
She built a health facility in Chera before the government built a CHPS compound in a nearby community. There is an epilepsy programme being rebuilt after a loss, but even in the gap, medication still reaches the rural areas behind Walewale. This is not just charity. This is ministry. The scripture says, “Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me” (Matthew 25:40).
LOVE NEVER FAILS!
In the case of the foster homes started by Madam Marleen, some children were written off by medicine, isolated by fear, and forgotten by the world. However, love found them, held them, and rewrote their story — because love never fails. I see the foster children as the heartbeat of what God is doing through her. Let’s get into some of their stories, and you will understand what I am talking about.
One of the lovely boys came when he was not even one year old. He was desperately sick. His mother had died of HIV. He had been born with it. His little body was covered in sores. He was malnourished. Many had written him off, but Madam Marleen brought him home and put him on treatment. She fed him properly and loved him. The scripture says, “He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds” (Psalm 147:3). Today he is doing well in school. What looked like an ending became a beginning.
Another boy came as a one-year-old. He was malnourished. He had many health issues. For years his biggest challenge was behavioural, but with patience, prayer, and consistent love, he is much better. He is safe and loved. Later, his mother was found to be mentally challenged and wandering the streets in the northern part of the country. Madam Marleen went for her too and brought her in for care. The scripture says, “Love never fails” (1 Corinthians 13:8).
Another young boy was found eight years ago. He had contracted HIV at birth. He lost both parents. He had full-blown AIDS. The family caring for him isolated him out of fear. Someone called Madam Marleen and asked, “Can you help?” She did. What changed him was not just medication but love and being held close like other children.
The scripture says, “A new commandment I give unto you, that ye love one another” (John 13:34). Another child came from Sandema at age seven. He has cerebral palsy. Completely paralysed but with a sharp and brilliant mind. Today he is improving daily with love, care, and therapy, proving disability is not inability. The scripture says, “I am fearfully and wonderfully made” (Psalm 139:14).
These are just a few among many. As I said before, some have grown now, gotten married, and are working and supporting other people. Their lives are the fruit of one yes and a desire to touch lives. You may not be able to touch everybody, but you can touch somebody. And for that somebody, you will change their entire world. There is a special joy that only willing hearts know. It is not the joy of applause. It is the joy of obedience. The Psalmist said, “In thy presence is fullness of joy” (Psalm 16:11).
This joy cannot be bought. It comes only from saying yes to God when it costs you something. There is a reward for every willing heart that men may never see but God will never forget. People may forget your labour. They may not thank you. But heaven keeps perfect records. The scripture says, “For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love” (Hebrews 6:10). Every sacrifice is remembered, and God honours those who honour Him. The scripture says, “Them that honour me I will honour” (1 Samuel 2:30).
So the question is not, can God use you? The real question is, are you willing? He does not need your eloquence; he needs your yes. He does not need your perfection. He needs your surrender. So stop disqualifying yourself. What is in your hand right now? Who is right in front of you? Start there and be faithful. The scripture says, “He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much” (Luke 16:10).
When you live like this, your whole life becomes a message. The world is tired of big talks without love. The world is looking for real lives that show compassion and sacrifice. You can be that life. You can be that light. At the end, God will not ask how talented or famous we were. He will ask, Were you willing? May our answer be yes. May God find in us a willing heart that says, “Here am I; send me” (Isaiah 6:8).
Let’s pray.
Father, in the name of Jesus, we thank You for Your word. We come to you today just as we are. Forgive us for the excuses we have made. Forgive us for saying we are too young, too old, too broken, or too busy. Lord, we have looked at our weakness, but You have been looking at our willingness. Touch us again, Lord. Raise labourers for Your harvest. Raise mothers for the fatherless. Raise helpers for the widows. Raise intercessors, givers, teachers, and servants who will say, “Here am I, send me” (Isaiah 6:8).
Lord, strengthen every willing heart that is already serving. When they are tired, renew their strength (Isaiah 40:31). When they feel alone, remind them that You see them and You will never forget their labour of love (Hebrews 6:10). Let our lives prove that one willing heart can still change the world in Jesus’ name. Amen.
May the Lord bless you and keep you; may the Lord make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you. May the Lord lift His countenance upon you and give you peace.
