Before You Goنموونە

Let No One Despise You

“I’m only in 10th grade!”

“I’m a single mother … going on a mission trip?”

“I’m the oldest one on the team!”

What will the team do with a person of your gender, race, education level, or condition?

“Why would God want me to be on this team? I can’t preach, sing, or do puppets, and I’ve never built a building. This makes no sense.”

Why did God call you on this trip? Was it all of your giftedness or ministry experience? Was it your musical, medical, theatrical, construction, or theological training?

The primary reason you are called to this trip is none of those. Your primary qualifications are 1) God has deposited His presence within your heart and life, and 2) you have made yourself available to Him. You may also have some of those other abilities and experiences, and God will use them, but God’s passion is for nations to be drawn to Him. God wants to exhibit Himself to the people He’s sending you to and will use an available servant like you, just as you are.

The Apostle Paul once wrote a great letter to a young man named Timothy to encourage him, teach him, and give him leadership tips. Then Paul saw a condition in Timothy’s life that was beyond his control, something that might affect his confidence: his young age. Paul basically said, “Don’t let anybody put you down over that issue!”

What is your most limiting factor? Whether it’s some physical or natural trait, an experience level, or some life circumstance, hear the voice of the Lord saying to you, “Don’t let anyone limit you from fulfilling My call on you for that reason! You may be looking down on yourself. Stop! I saw your limitations before I called you, and I still want you to carry My presence to these people.”

Go Further: What do you think is your most limiting factor (humanly speaking) as a team member? Name any insecurities you are carrying as you turn to God in prayer.

Prayer: Father, thank You that before I was born, You knew me. You set me apart for Your purpose, and I am responding to the stirring that You put in my heart to go to the nations. Because taking the gospel to the uttermost parts of the earth is Your idea, I resist all temptation to focus on my limitations, nor do I care what others might think. I trust Your call on my life.