Ever feel in over your head? Ill-equipped and unprepared for the task at hand? Unqualified? Whoever said “God will never give you more than you can handle” was flat lying. In fact, I think that whole notion was just made up to keep our faith weak and our thoughts small. After all, why should I try to tackle something out of my comfort zone, beyond my skill set and above my pay grade? Recently, I’ve been writing a series of posts inspired by the movie Kung Fu Panda. He is singled out to be the “dragon warrior” and singlehandedly face the impending wrath of the bad guy. Needless to say, he too, feels rather unqualified.
Well, if you feel that way, don’t worry, you’re in really good company…
When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus. (Acts 4:13)
There’s something about being with Jesus that brings out courage and taps the unseen reservoirs we didn’t know existed. And if there’s one thing I love about God is that he loves using people who aren’t “qualified” for the job. That’s because it’s neither about our being qualified or unqualified, but about Christ who freely qualifies us on the basis of his grace (Col.1:11-13).
But then, if you’ve read any of the bible this should come as no surprise. Remember:
Moses… Moses said to the LORD, “O Lord, I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since you have spoken to your servant. I am slow of speech and tongue.” (Exodus 4:10) He wound up accomplishing some pretty big things.
Gideon… “But Lord , ” Gideon asked, “how can I save Israel? My clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my family.” (Judges 6:15) This guy delivered a nation with a 300 person army; after about 30,000 people ran in fear or were disqualified.
Jeremiah… “Ah, Sovereign LORD,” I said, “I do not know how to speak; I am only a child.” (Jeremiah 1:6) This man stood alone for the better part of a generation speaking the words of God when no one else liked him.
Esther… a young, uncertain virgin girl conscripted into the harem of the presiding King who eventually delivered her people.
David – he was no professional soldier, but a young shepherd/musician willing to face a man-slayer of a giant with nothing more than the Name of his God, and the skills he had acquired while living in quiet obedience.
Chances are, if you are walking with Jesus he’s going to (or already has) put you in a place where you feel unqualified for the job. That’s good. He’d rather you be desperate for him and dependent on his grace than your own ability anyway, so get over it. And as you look to him, stand in faith and do what he’s called you to do, what A.W.Tozer said will be said of you: “God is preparing His heroes and one day they will appear and the world will wonder where they came from.”
