Have you ever felt as though you’re not a first-draft selection when it comes to being used by God?
Have you ever felt there are other choices that just make more sense? People who are smarter, better looking, or more gifted?
If so, you are not alone! At times, we all feel hints of insecurity and self-doubt. But when God looks at us, he doesn’t focus on what we can’t do; he sees what he can do through us. In fact, sometimes the individual whom God chooses can be surprising–not only to us but also to the one chosen!
Consider Moses. He has a profound encounter with God in Exodus 3 in which God chooses him to lead the Israelites out of Egypt and into the freedom God had for them. Moses doesn’t throw his hands up in the air and say, “I’m here and ready to go!” Instead, he argues with God, offering up a laundry list of weaknesses and doubts. Moses reminds God he has a speech impediment and can’t speak in public very well. He is not a confident leader. Yet God sees past Moses’ anxieties and knows he is the best choice. No one is probably more surprised than Moses!
Another example is Jeremiah. When God speaks to Jeremiah in Jeremiah 1, appointing him as a prophet to the nations, Jeremiah is surprised! His immediate concern is that he doesn’t know how to speak, and he is so young that no one will listen to him. But the Lord reminds Jeremiah not to allow his youth or insecurities to get the best of him. Instead, Jeremiah is to obey God with courage.
God has an amazing way of surprising us with what He’s asking us to us do! Throughout the Bible we read of men and women who save nations, lead thousands to freedom, perform miracles, and follow Jesus to their deaths.
All are surprised by what God calls them to, but they still choose to answer the call.
Though you may not feel as if you’re the obvious choice for honoring God with your life, no one qualifies according to their own merit. God uses a responsive and willing heart to do amazing things.
What is something that God is calling you to that seems impossible?
One time I was VERY upset at the unfair treatment of others and the amount of undeserved persecution we were going through and He simply reminded me of all the punishments and persecution and even death He endured for no reason except living a sinful, righteous life and helping others do the same…
I would say that I definitely feel like a third or fourth string person on the field most days and that there are way more qualified people around but when I think through the reality that God still put me in I’ve got a bit more courage than I would have otherwise.
Me, too, Leif.
Sonya– I think that’s the most humbling reminder there is. Often that righteous anger that stirs inside of us when we experience unjustice reminds us to stand up on behalf of our brothers and sisters. Thank you for sharing. How can I be praying for you this week?
This is so relevant to a situation I have just been through…I wish I would have seen this earlier….
Linda– praying for you in whatever circumstance you may be facing. May God give you courage and peace!
Two thoughts Margaret – 1. Sometimes it is hard to know why He would use me 2. Sometimes it is just hard to know how He wants to use me
I couldn’t agree more, Dave. Wrestling with those two thoughts is universal I think.
i couldnt agree more . When God wants to use you for his purpose he gives you all it takes. Hes such an amazing God.
I have been called to participate in many things that I personally feel inadequate to accomplish, but I would not say I was unqualified to participate in.
I have a very difficult time agreeing with the statement that “God does not call the qualified, He qualifies the called.” I wonder if we are over simplifying with this “Cliche”?
There is a large difference between “I can’t” and “I won’t”. In the case of Moses, God actually gets angry with Moses for the excuses Moses offered as “I can’t” (I’m not qualified) statements, when God saw at Moses’ core was a heart of “I won’t” (I don’t want to). God saw through Moses’ defiance.
It all makes me wonder if our lack of confidence in the things God calls us to is really is pure defiance instead of pure humility. Just some food for thought.
I hear this saying preached often in church, yet churches generally tend to employ the qualified.
When God lead me to lead a men’s group I was not at all the most qualified. For me this was not the first time he asked me to do something that I was not the best at i am one to work in the background. But I have grown as much as the men in the group. Now as I set here God is moving my wife and I and he looking to call someone new to lead and we will be talking about being qualified when God calls you to do what you do what you are not qualified to do. Please pray for the man that he call to do His work here in Cambridge OH.
Jacob was a cheater, Peter had a temper, David had an affair, Noah got drunk, Joann ran from God, Paul was a murderer, Gideon was insecure, Miriam was a gossiper, Martha was a worrier, Thomas was a doubter, Sara was impatient, Elijah was moody, Zacchaeus was short, Abraham was old, and Lazarus was dead…. Now what is your eexcurse? Can God use you or not. God does not call the qualified he qualified the called.
It is not impossible said the Lord.
It is not risky said the Holy Spirit.
It i s not pointless said Jesus.
It is for me said God!
So true!