Growing up, my parents subscribed to the philosophy that little children should be seen and not heard. So dad reminded us often of this saying, especially if company came over to visit. My parents loved me, but this message left me feeling unseen. As a result, I struggled with low self-esteem early in life. As I aged, I often judged myself unfit or unqualified to do many things I wanted to do.
So, as I started to experience the nudge from God to share the Gospel on the mission field, those old feelings reared their heads once again. “I am not a Bible scholar,” or “Why would anyone value my thoughts on God?” I convinced myself I was unqualified to do the work of the Lord. Have you ever experienced such feelings in your life?
Feeling Unqualified
Those same feelings hung around even as I followed God’s calling. But, as part of the team organizing these trips, I discovered I could hide my perceived inadequacies from others. Then, God nudged me again. This time, I discerned Him pressing me to write a book about the mission adventures. “I am not a writer,” I told God, “I am completely unqualified for such a task.” But, like an obedient child, I did as instructed and wrote my first book.
As the years wear on, I discover God equips me for the task He plans for me. And, I see this message played out within the pages of the Bible. I praise the Lord that He does not use worldly standards to define us. Instead, he looks at our hearts to judge our qualifications. God wants people with a moldable heart and someone willing to follow Him no matter how they feel about themselves.
He Qualifies Us
God has a purpose for each of us. Part of that purpose includes sharing our faith with others. But, unfortunately, the thought of sharing our Godly stories with others frightens most of us. And, if you are like me, you feel unqualified for these Godly assignments. Trust God. He knows what He is doing. He is not lonking for perfection, just our best effort. So, let’s look at some Biblical examples of God qualifying those He calls.
Examples of Unqualified People
Here are some examples of people God used for the greatness of HIS glory. And they would be considered unqualified by worldly standards.
- Abraham -Was old (Genesis 21:5 NIV).
- Elijah – Was suicidal (1 Kings 19:4 NIV).
- Joseph – Was abused (Genesis 37:12-36 NIV).
- Job – Went bankrupt (Job 1:13-22 NIV).
- Moses – Had a speech problem (Exodus 4:10 NIV).
- Gideon – Was afraid (Judges 6:15 NIV).
- Samson – Was a womanizer (Judges 15 NIV).
- Rahab – Was a prostitute (Joshua 2:1 NIV).
- Samaritan Woman – Divorced (John 4:18 NIV).
- Noah – Was a Drunk (Genesis 9:20-21 NIV).
- Jeremiah – Was young (Jeremiah 1:6 NIV).
- Jacob – Was a cheater (Genesis 27 NIV).
- David – Was a murderer (2 Samuel 11 NKJV).
- Jonah – Ran from God (Jonah 1:3 NCV).
- Naomi – Was a widow (Ruth 1:3 ESV).
- Peter – Denied Christ three times (Matthew 26:75 ESV).
- Martha – Worried about everything (Luke 10:41-42 ESV).
- Zacchaeus – Was tiny & money-hungry (Luke 19:1-10 NIV).
- The Disciples – Fell asleep (Matthew 26:40 NIV).
Good News for Us
Which Biblical person resonates with you and the areas of your life that cause you to feel unqualified? For example, I relate to Abraham’s old age, Gideon’s fear, and Jonah’s running away from God. If God can use these folks with their problems, He can use any of us. That thought brings me comfort, and I hope it does for you too.
Additionally, Isaiah and Paul’s words in the Bible confirm that we are qualified servants of the Lord. God defines us, not the world.
“9 You whom I have taken from the ends of the earth and called from its remotest parts, and said to you, You are My servant, I have chosen you and have not rejected you. 10 Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, I will also help you, I will also uphold you with My righteous right hand.”
Isaiah 41:9-10 (NASB)
“26 For consider your calling, brothers and sisters, that there were not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble; 27 but God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong, 28 and the insignificant things of the world and the despised God has chosen, the things that are not, so that He may nullify the things that are, 29 so that no human may boast before God. 30 But it is due to Him that you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption.”
1 Corinthians 1:26-30 (NASB)
Rejoice
Rejoice in the fact that the more unqualified you are, the more God’s glory can shine through you as an exhibition of His grace. So don’t ever think that God can’t use you. I probably won’t ever be the best writer in the world, but God will use what I do for His purposes. God doesn’t call the qualified; He qualifies the called. He calls us to be His ambassadors, and what a great calling and blessing for us.
Prayers
Heavenly Father, you are a good good father. You delight in me. At times I have struggled to believe this because of my insecurities. I flounder to walk in the truth that I am your child. I forget that you are with me always. I want others to see You in me and that You are qualified alone. Thank You, Lord. Amen.