What if I told you that even if you think you’re called, you’re not qualified to be used by God? I know this because God’s choices never are. But hang on for the great news.
Is God calling you to serve in His kingdom? If you’re a believer, God is indeed calling you. There are no spectators in this sport, just participants. And you’re never too old or young. God knew you in the womb and has grand plans for you.
But do you feel unworthy or unequipped to fulfill what God has asked? If so, you’re the perfect person for the job. You’re exactly who the Lord uses. God always chooses the inadequate to accomplish the extraordinary. That way, the glory belongs to God alone, never to people.
Remember the saying, “God doesn’t call the qualified; He qualifies the called.” That’s a common theme throughout the Bible. If He called only already qualified people, the glory would be theirs. He uses those the world would see as incapable and anoints them to succeed. Won’t it be great to hear people say about you, “Wow! Who would have ever thought?”
The Untalented Preacher
For example, a preacher faced significant opposition from some within his own Southern Baptist denomination. While still a student at the Florida Bible Institute, he preached his first sermon in 1937. However, many of the faculty disapproved of his methods and style. This preacher’s initial services drew minimal attendance, and most doubted he would ever reach a large audience.
God’s plan, though, was special.
But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God.
—1 Corinthians 1:27-29 (ESV)
God uses the unqualified so the glory will be His alone.
This preacher, doubted by many, became one of the most influential evangelists of the 20th century, reaching millions worldwide through his crusades, books, and television appearances. His message of simple, traditional Christianity resonated with a broad spectrum of people. He followed his calling to spread the Gospel of Jesus.
His name was Billy Graham.
Few of us will have a worldwide ministry like Billy Graham. But God calls each of us to serve somehow. You might be the one vacuuming the floor at your church, helping with the toddlers, teaching a Sunday school class, greeting people at the door, ushering attendees to their seats, running sound and media, heading a small group, preaching, or teaching. Or maybe street ministry. Maybe you’re the one who prays for people in Walmart. My wife Sylvia and I do.
If you deny your calling, there’s an emptiness inside you that nothing else can fill. When you act on it in faith, there’s a feeling like no other. You’ll know you are in the right place, doing the right thing.
Fear and doubt are your greatest enemies, whether it’s the devil speaking through others willing to be swayed by his lies, or just your own feelings of inadequacy. I urge you to ignore all that and take that leap of faith. The wings you’ll grow and how far you’ll fly will amaze you and those around you.
Let’s look at some examples from Scripture to illustrate how God works.
Moses (Exodus 3-4):
Moses was not even supposed to live. But God saved his life through the intervention of Pharoah’s daughter and wound up with his Hebrew mother still caring for him. As a side note, Mom even got paid for this. God always blesses those who are obedient.
But when God called Moses, his first excuse was, “Who am I to do such a thing?” His next excuse was, “Who are You that they will listen?”, followed by, “They won’t believe You told me this.” When all these excuses didn’t work, he got to the truth. He felt inadequate because of his speech impediment.
But Moses said to the Lord, “Oh, my Lord, I am not eloquent, either in the past or since you have spoken to your servant, but I am slow of speech and of tongue.”
—Exodus 4:10 (ESV)
But God told him He would be with him and teach him what to say. “Please send someone else!” Moses pleaded. God was losing patience by then, so he had Moses’ brother Aaron assist him with speaking.
There’s another aspect to Moses as well. After he had grown up, he saw an Egyptian taskmaster whipping a Hebrew slave, one of Moses’ people. Moses killed the taskmaster and buried him in the sand. Fearing for his own life, Moses fled from Egypt and hid in the land of Midian. So not only does God use the unqualified, but even their sinful history is not a reason to be disqualified.
God used Moses, a stuttering murderer, and empowered him to lead the Israelites out of Egypt into the promised land.
Gideon (Judges 6-7):
As had happened frequently, the children of Israel had done what was evil in the sight of the Lord, so God’s judgment was to allow the Midianites to oppress them for seven years. When this time had passed, to deliver His people from their enemy, the angel of the Lord came and sat under a terebinth tree and waited for Gideon, who he called a “mighty man of valor” and told him the Lord was with him.
“Really?” Gideon questioned. “If God is with us, then why has this evil thing happened to us? Where are all His wonderful deeds our fathers told us about? It looks to me like God had forsaken us.”
“Go in this might of yours,” the Lord instructed Gideon, “and save Israel from the hand of Midian. Do not I send you?”
But self-doubt overwhelmed Gideon. “Who? Me? You’re kidding, right? How can I save Israel? My family is the weakest in Manasseh, and I’m the smallest of all my relatives.”
God said, “But I will be with you.”
Gideon was still skeptical. He wanted a sign it was truly God speaking and sacrificed meat, unleavened cakes, and flour, all covered with broth. Fire from heaven consumed it as proof.
That night, the Lord instructed Gideon to tear down the altar of Baal and the wooden Asherah pole in the Midianite camp. His assignment involved building a stone altar on the rubble and sacrificing a bull to God with the wood from the Asherah. Along with ten men, Gideon succeeded in his mission.
When the Midianites discovered what had been done, they wanted to kill Gideon, but God protected him. Five tribes of Israel rallied together under Gideon.
You would think this would convince him, but the most famous part of Gideon’s story came after this initial victory.
“Lord, if You are sure You will have me save Israel, I will lay a piece of wool on the floor and check it tomorrow morning. If there’s dew on just the fleece, and the floor remains dry, then I’ll know You want me to accomplish this.”
The next morning, the fleece was soaked enough to fill a bowl with water, yet the floor remained dry.
Then Gideon requested another test in reverse. The fleece was to stay dry atop a wet floor. And, of course, that’s exactly what Gideon found the next morning.
Finally convinced, Gideon took a troop of 32,000 men. But he had too many, according to the Lord. One would think the more men the better, but God likes to show off. The glory is His alone. And He knew the Israelites would brag it was by their own doing if a large force overran the enemy.
So God had Gideon send anyone showing fear back to their homes. 22,000 returned home and 10,000 remained.
But that was still too many, so the Lord instructed Gideon to take them to the water to be tested. Whoever lifted water in his hand and lapped like a dog with his tongue would comprise his army. Gideon sent home those who knelt to slurp the water. He now had an army of just 300 men. 32,000 down to 300. Less than 1% of what he started with. That was the right number.
The enemy outnumbered the Israelites dozens of times over. But God gave Gideon a strategy. He divided his 300 into three companies of 100 each and gave each man a torch, a jar, and a trumpet beside their swords. They surrounded the enemy and hid the lit torches in the clay jars. When given the signal, they broke the jars, blew the trumpets, and then shouted, “A sword for the Lord and for Gideon!” Thinking a vast army surrounded them, the Midianites and their allies became frightened and confused, using their swords against one another.
Gideon continued the assault, and his army killed 120,000 enemy swordsmen. The Israelites offered Gideon a kingship, but he refused.
Not bad for the family runt. But God was there every step of the way, reassuring and supporting him. God called Gideon and despite his self-doubt, gave him a historic victory, and used him for a mighty purpose.
So? What’s your mighty purpose?
David (1 Samuel 16):
Most of us know the story of David. It’s commonly taught in both Sunday School and over the pulpit. We can learn several lessons from this humble shepherd boy who had a servant’s heart from a young age and grew into a man after God’s own heart.
First, he was the youngest of all of his brothers. When Samuel the prophet came to Jesse’s house, Jesse overlooked David, considering him too small to be of any consequence. He was in the pasture tending sheep while Samuel inspected his brothers. But after God rejected all seven brothers, David was called in and chosen. So you cannot use the excuse of being too young. When God calls, He calls us at exactly the right age and time. However, that calling may be to prepare for what God has planned. David was anointed as king while young, but most estimate it took 15 years of getting ready before he sat on the throne.
We all know the story of David and Goliath. Looking at it from a rational standpoint, Goliath was a superior opponent. He was much larger, stronger, and more experienced. Plus, his armor and weaponry far outclassed David’s shepherd’s tunic. Instead of a large spear and an incredibly sharp sword, David was pitifully armed with a sling and five stones.
But God’s favor was upon him, and he performed an act of true faith and courage, stepping onto the battlefield fearlessly, orbiting the sling several times before launching a stone missile that struck Goliath in the forehead, knocking him out. While the giant was unconscious, David leaped forward, retrieved Goliath’s sword, and decapitated him. The Philistine army, completely demoralized, retreated. The Israelites, emboldened by this young hero, attacked them as they ran. David, in obedience, won the battle for the Israelites and became a legend lasting 3,000 years.
So don’t let inexperience or lack of equipment stand in your way, even if it appears the obstacle before you is too large to overcome. And it doesn’t matter what others think. Like David’s family, people may judge you as incapable. But with God’s anointing, you can do great things if you believe God’s promise and step bravely onto the battlefield.
The Disciples (Matthew 4:18-22):
Now, let’s look briefly at the disciples chosen by Jesus. If He wanted those who were religiously qualified, many priests and scribes filled the synagogues. But ordinary fishermen and a tax collector, not scholars or religious leaders, comprised His team. He spent time with harlots and lepers, sinners and outcasts. It wasn’t until after Jesus’ death that He chose Saul, a legalistic Pharisee. But Saul let go of this past after conversion to Paul. Jesus indeed loved all people, but He had little respect for the religious bigots of His day, often correcting their thoughts and beliefs.
When John’s and James’ mother asked Jesus that her sons sit beside Him in His kingdom, she was told…
But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be your slave, even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve,
—Matthew 20: 26b-28a (ESV)
God uses the humble to accomplish extraordinary things. If you remain humble, God will use you to accomplish His purpose.
Walk in Your Calling
When God calls us, He equips us with what we need to succeed. And He works through weakness.
Paul says in 2 Corinthians 12:9, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
Remember: God’s plan is bigger than your ability. Trust in His purpose and timing, even when you feel unprepared. His power is most evident when He works through seemingly weak and insignificant vessels like us. It accomplishes God’s tasks and teaches us to rely on His grace and wisdom.
Step out in faith and stop focusing on your limitations. Focus instead on God’s strength. He can use anyone, regardless of past failures or current fears. I’ll bet your feelings of inadequacy are far more imaginary than real. And weakness is okay. God can use that. He’ll provide everything you need.
Challenge: “What step of faith is God calling you to take today?” Will you obey the call?
Remember: Maybe it is what it is, but it ain’t what it could be. I am completely unqualified to do what I do for the Kingdom. But I’m doing it anyway. You are equally unqualified for what God has called you to do. And that, my sibling in Christ, is tremendously reassuring.
Next to faith, perhaps the greatest qualification of ministry is to be unqualified.