Learning New Skills

In our rebuilding process, we will find ourselves in situations where we are totally inexperienced. God loves to do that. When we find ourselves in those positions, we can no longer rely on what we know and what we have done, but we have to lean on him and be open to learning new skills. As a teenager and young adult, I had several different jobs. I was constantly pulled out of my comfort zone and put in new situations. In many ways, this prepared me for pastoral leadership and entrepreneurship to help others rebuild.

Nehemiah was not a builder. He knew nothing about construction and he knew nothing about leading people. Nehemiah had been a cupbearer. Why was he called to this impossible job of rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem? He was hardly qualified. We can all feel like this at many points in our lives, but these are the moments when we see God step in. He loves to use the underdog, so when he calls, we need to be willing to wear some new hats. We have to listen, learn, and follow his lead.

I am a pastor, not a commercial real estate developer. Our church went through twenty-one months of negotiations with Toys R’ Us. When we finally inked the deal we had to hire architects and engineers to create blueprints so we could get the project into permitting and then construction. I had to learn to manage this huge project and keep everything on track.

God regularly uses unskilled, ordinary people to spark rebuilding movements. Look throughout the scripture and you’ll see example after example: Noah, Esther, David, Peter, and Paul—from farmers to shepherds, to fishermen, and even to religious leaders. He uses people just like you and me. But how can he use us when we have issues, and we’re lacking the skills? We have to trust him and put in the work. We have to intentionally look for ways to learn new skills: through mentors, books, podcasts, conferences, internships, serving, and so on. We have to learn new techniques, new languages, and new words.

The creator is waiting for people like you and me to rise up and learn new skills. There is a lost, dying world that needs to be rebuilt. I’ve heard it said that God doesn’t call the qualified; he qualifies the called.

Rebuilding Blocks For Today:

1. Is there a position you find yourself in that you feel unqualified for? What are some new skills that can help you rebuild?
2. How can you help someone else in your community learn from your knowledge? Who can you mentor at your church, your job, or in your neighborhood?