Called or Qualified?
Do you ever feel inadequate?
During my morning meditations I recalled a time about four years ago when after about 20 hours of intense effort I realized that I was incapable of translating Biblical Hebrew into English. This led me out for an evening walk and a very serious heart-to-heart conversation with God. What had God gotten me into? Why bring me this far and then set me up to fail?
As I walked my conversation and the yearning for an answer grew, I ended-up at an apartment complex where I found myself reading the bulletin board. And right there thumb-tacked in the wall was hand-printed in bold black letters on a 3 X 5 note card was:
"GOD DOES NOT CALL THE QUALIFIED, GOD QUALIFIES THE CALLED."
That was my answer that night. I had no choice but to trust.
"Having done all, stand."
Last summer while working as a chaplain I was called out of a meeting and into a tragic event. A mother had just lost her 20-year old first born child; he was hit by a train. There are no magic words that can erase the event or the pain the mother was feeling. I wasn’t "qualified" to address the situation, but I was called and I had to depend on God to show-up. God did.
GOD DOES NOT CALL THE QUALIFIED, GOD QUALIFIES THE CALLED.
This doesn’t suggest that we should not prepare for whatever work or ministry that we are called or even that we should not be qualified, but it does mean that we need to step out in faith where we find ourselves and trust that God will work through us. Whether this is doing service at a 12-Step meeting or a new ministry, the reality is that we can depend on God to be God and not our own abilities to master a situation. If you have been called, God will qualify you. Trust God, not yourself.
It is not about being adequate, it is about being faithful and trusting God. I need to remind myself when I want to attempt to do God's work in my own power. God will do for and in me what I am incapable of doing for myself or another.
17 Comments:
That is SO TRUE and I have heard is said often. I am grateful that he qualifies the called because if I feel so unqaulified. He uses me at the strangest times (with the strangest people - lol) and afterwards I am always in awe that He chose me to do something on His behalf.
Another great post by Rick :)
Great post -- it brings Moses to mind for me. The counterpoint is that sometimes God *doesn't* call the qualified, and he has his own reasons.
You just deleted or hid another post after this about fruit. I'm sure you have your reasons, but I at least wanted to assure you that you're dead-on correct, IMO. Hope no one's been coming at you with sour grapes. (ha! I crack myself up)
Sometimes I think we overthink this whole "ministry" thing. From my perspective, the one area of ministry that is most needed, and least offered, is love. It is the one thing that we are most qualified to administer, and the last thing we feel like offering. We would rather supply "answers". But who has the answers? Not me, and no one I know. But to slather on the love of God in thick helpings... now that is comfort.
We ARE full of God's love to overflowing, aren't we?
wow, wow, wow. Great post, but it spoke to me on a whole different level...My husband and I have been called to be the youth and children's pastors, respectively, at our church in the town we used to live in. It's 2000 miles away from where we are now--where we just moved 8 months ago, actually. We're trying to sell our house right now, and even though we supposedly live in a hot seller's market we just haven't had any luck. We've been thinking about renting, but now come to find out we probably can't do that, and once more I feel defeated. So you're post, especially
"It is not about being adequate, it is about being faithful and trusting God. I need to remind myself when I want to attempt to do God's work in my own power. God will do for and in me what I am incapable of doing for myself or another."
This didn't only speak to me on the level of the actual calling, but since we are called, God WILL sell our house. I don't need to use my power (renting it out), but to trust God totally.
Thanks.
Thanks for the comments!
Layla, you are so kind as usual.
Allison, you always make me smile and LOL. Thanks. Oh, I want to develop the previosu post a little more.
Bruce, man... you are so right on. Love sums it all up.
Rachelle, I will pray for you. Keep listening for God. I am happy that this post spoke to you. I sorta had a feeling someone was out there needing this one. :)
God's peace!
The someone you said needed this one?
That was MMMe. ;)
Great post.
Interesting thoughts.
Great post Bro.
My first thought was that statement is the best excuse killer I have ever heard....and yeah, I needed it too!
A beautiful statement of faith and trust, and it fits so naturally with the Scriptures. Clearly God selects people we would overlook in our human-ness. Be Called, Brother
amen, brother.. an amazing post.
I don't like being unqualified.
I don't like not being in control.
Thus, I do NOT like God bringing me kicking and screaming into situations where my lack of ability, understanding, and knowledge are at the fore of the situation.
And guess what --He STILL brings me there, against my better wishes.
I guess my better wishes aren't all that great....
Amen and thank God!
I find this phrase deeply inspiring. It helped me take the leap of faith the create a youth ministry where there wasn't one, and it has reassured me during the long discernment process I am in now.
I just found your blog. I am new to blog-land. I wish I had discovered all of this earlier - it's really helpful to see what others are experiencing on their journeys.
fantastic! i haven't heard the phrase before ... and i'll just add my vote to everyone else's: "so true!"
I know this - if I ever start thinking I'm "adequately qualified," or "humble," or "sane," I usually get clear evidence that I'm not any of those things in pretty short order.
Rick, when the sewage hit the ventilator in my own quest for ordination, you were the first one to quote this "God qualifies the called" message to me. I've hung onto it for a while, now - and I still give thanks to God for you, and for getting to trudge the road together.
thank you thank yout thank you for this post.
great comments too
be blessed :)
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