Dr. Francis S. Collins, a physician-geneticist, led the Human Genome Project, an international group that mapped out the very complex DNA molecule. By his own admission he was once a staunch atheist, but explains in his book, "The Language of God: A Scientist Presents Evidence for Belief", why he is now a devout Christian. Growing up in a household without faith, then off to college which only furthered his atheism, he began to open his eyes when he noticed how some of his patients with terrible diseases truly leaned on their faith. Eventually, one of his patients challenged his atheism, to which his argument of "I don't believe any of this" sounded rather unscientific. He realized that he had arrived at becoming an atheist out of convenience, without ever really examining the data as to the existence of God. He eventually reached out to a minister who lived on his street, who gave him a copy of C.S. Lewis' book, "Mere Christianity". He eventually realized that all he has done and all that he would continue to do was as a vessel for God, simply enabling us to get a glimpse into God's mind. On the other end of the spectrum is David Berkowitz, also known as "Son of Sam". The convicted serial murderer, became a Christian after receiving a Bible from a fellow inmate. Then there is Yitzhak Kaduri, the most famous Rabbi in Israel's modern history, the 108-year-old announced on Yom Kippur that he had seen a vision of the real Messiah, who is Jesus Christ. There is a long list of Muslim converts to Christianity. This should all make us realize that it is not for us to pick winners and losers. No one, absolutely no one, is beyond the possibility of coming into a real and genuine relationship with Jesus Christ.

We read Paul's comments in 1 Timothy 1:12-16, "And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord who has enabled me, because He counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry, although I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an insolent man; but I obtained mercy because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. And the grace of our Lord was exceedingly abundant, with faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief. However, for this reason I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show all longsuffering, as a pattern to those who are going to believe on Him for everlasting life." It is so easy to become so familiar with the Apostle Paul as to forget his previous life as the Pharisee Saul. For all the world it would have appeared that this Christian persecutor was beyond reach, but the rest is history. Paul's example showed the world the extent of God's love, mercy and grace. God saved Paul, and in so doing, showed the world that no one is beyond hope.

As we look around, we truly are a cast of characters. Though unified under the banner of Jesus Christ, we are anything but uniform. We come from varied backgrounds, nationalities, religions, etc. We have varied pasts: some highly educated, others not; some law abiding, others with a rap sheet; some always sober, others with a history of substance abuse; some with an intact family unit, others who have fractured families or who have lost loved ones through the years. We are God's unlikely army. Amazingly God does not need any of us, yet chooses to use us to reach the world in His name. Our individual testimonies, which continue to evolve, is what makes each of us unique. The individual who might be reached by me, might turn a deaf ear to someone else. The individual who might turn a deaf ear to me might be reached by you. The pivotal thing to remember though is that no one is beyond hope, and all of us who have enlisted into God's army are meant to reach out with the only message with hope. This message is exclusive and many will fight back. This is clearly stated in 1 Timothy 2:5-6, "For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time,". Not only are we all unique, yet unified; but we all have unique mission fields. Where I go daily, you don't; and where you go, I don't. So, as fellow soldiers in God's army, may we all be faithful to the call and the charge we have all been given, to bring the message of Jesus Christ to the world.