Equipped yet Unqualified

2 Timothy 3:16-17 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

Have you ever applied for a job, knowing that you aren’t really qualified for it? Or gone into an exam that you didn’t revise for? You get there full of dread, anxiety, overwhelmed and feeling unprepared! Well that can be what it feels like to follow Christ. God doesn’t call us to the familiar and comfortable. Most people who serve God will tell you that what they are doing probably wouldn’t have been their first choice! We often have very different ideas about what our purpose is compared to God's idea, so when he calls us, we feel completely blindsided. God can see potential far beyond what we can and he has the divine ability to equip us for his work even if by the world’s standards, we are completely unqualified.

Luke 5:8-11 When Simon Peter saw it, he got down at the feet of Jesus. He said, “Go away from me, Lord, because I am a sinful man.” He and all those with him were surprised and wondered about the many fish. James and John, the sons of Zebedee, were surprised also. They were working together with Simon. Then Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid. From now on you will fish for men.” When they came to land with their boats, they left everything and followed Jesus.

When we look to the Bible, we have 12 great examples of this; the disciples. The disciples were not teachers in the Temples, they were ordinary men with very different jobs than the one God had in mind. Yet, God used them, he equipped them to be great teachers and leaders. It didn’t seem likely to them or those around them, but God had a good plan. We see it too in some of the great leaders in the Old Testament like Moses. Moses made some big mistakes and he was not confident in leadership when God called him; but none of that stopped God or limited Moses calling.

Exodus 3:10-12 So now I am sending you to the king of Egypt. Go! Bring my people, the Israelites, out of Egypt!” But Moses said to God, “I am not a great man! Why should I be the one to go to the king and lead the Israelites out of Egypt?” God said, “I will be with you. This will be the proof that I am sending you: You will lead the people out of Egypt. Then all of you will worship me on this mountain.”

God doesn’t choose us to do his will based on our CV, our educational achievements, work experience, confidence etc. God chooses us for specific and special purposes. God knows how much we are capable of (much more than we could ever believe). And he knows that if we do as he is asking, he will be the one powering us along. If we attempted to do the will of God without his help, we would surely fail. I myself have found myself in roles I would never have chosen and never thought I was equipped for. If I had attempted to preach when I was 18 years old, I probably would have had a panic attack at the front of church and never come back! God has perfect timing and it is through him that we are able to do things that we never thought possible. Many years later at the age of 23 I began preaching, in God’s control he calmed my anxiety, gave me the words to speak and the confidence to try. It was only with him and in his timing that I was able to do it. I had to trust that if God is telling me to do this, then I must do it and believe that he will help me to do so.

Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ because he gives me strength.

I am once again at a cross-roads in my life, where my ‘career’ is up in the air. What I am feeling called to, I do not have any formal education for and no professional work experience in that specific field. However, I feel that God is telling me that this is my next step, this is where I need to go. I could run and hide like Jonah, but God doesn’t give up easy! I could ignore my calling in fear but eventually I will have to follow him and take on this task. So, instead of running for the hills, I am trusting God. I am doing my best to do the things I need to prepare myself, but I am also trusting that God will equip me to do his will. We often limit our calling because we don't feel ready or feel prepared. But God cannot be limited and so when we walk with him and let him control our lives, we can't be limited either.

Deuteronomy 31:6 “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”

You don’t have to ever feel like you are unqualified or ill-equipped to do God’s will. No matter how big the calling may be, if you are feeling called then you should go! God will fully equip you even if you are ‘unqualified’ by the world’s standard. God says you are exactly right for then job. So, take this leap with me, don’t run for the hills but dive into the unknown and trust that God will be with you, preparing you and helping you every step of the way. We are fully equipped, even if we are unqualified!

Faithfully,

Becky