I'm Inadequate!

A lie that I found myself believing for the longest time was that I was unable to help others.

In my mind the only ones that truly could make an impact in someone's life were experts. It seems to me that there is an underlying fear of speaking into given situations based on our own self-identification and all too often that leads us down a path of feeling inadequate.

It makes us question what truly is an expert, and if we break that down, an expert is someone who has spent a lot of time studying something therefore seeks to serve through that expertise. Someone who has not spent a lot of time studying but wants to serve, acts not on their expertise but on their faith that effort will bring them to a position to help others. This reminds me of a laptop screen saver that I have on my computer - God doesn't call the qualified He qualifies the called.

I was surprised when I saw some of the same responses from the great prophet Jeremiah. Being a major prophet Jeremiah stood firm against the face of adversity yet we often forget that it began with his feeling like he was unfit for the task God called him to.

He saw his identity coupled directly to his life experiences and age. Reflecting on this further, it makes sense that Jeremiah, and us for that matter, use these two factors as litmus tests in our lives. In all reality, these are two items that we know to be true and they are often our true north stars. However, what we can discern from scripture is that when God is calling us to fulfill His will then our abilities are overshadowed by our willingness to obey.

The willingness to obey strikes me as an act of faith. Therefore faith becomes the precursor to all human action of consequence. It seems that the structure of the world is that if we bring faith to God then God will bring qualification and wisdom to us.

When we started our ministry the future was uncertain. We adjust items all the time based on what God reveals to us daily. The thoughts of not being good enough and inadequate surface all the time and that simple reminder that He is qualifying me as I go is the fuel needed to embrace the unknown and lean into following Him no matter the cost.

Questions to Consider

1. Considering the phrase, "God doesn't call the qualified, He qualifies the called," how can this perspective shift your approach to serving and leading in your community or ministry?
2. In what ways can recognizing that our abilities are overshadowed by our willingness to obey God transform how we view our qualifications and readiness to serve?