Are you stepping into something that God has clearly called you to, but feel that the task is WAY BEYOND YOU? Do you feel UNQUALIFIED? ILL-EQUIPPED? OVERWHELMED?
Wonderful! This is for you.
A few weeks ago, I was grappling with the thoughts that I don't have the skills or talents necessary to pull off what I feel God is calling me to. The scope of what He was painting felt way too big for me.
For my Bible study, I sat down to read Hebrews 11. It is filled with story after story of men and women of exceptional faith. Holy Spirit highlighted verses 7 &10.
"By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in holy fear built an ark to save his family. By his faith he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness that is in keeping with faith."
"For he (Abraham) was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God." -Hebrews 11:7,10
As I finished reading this, the Lord spoke directly to my spirit addressing my feelings of inadequacy. He said, "Noah was not a boat builder by trade."
This one statement struck my heart. Think about it. God didn't pick Noah because he had been trained and apprenticed in ship construction!
I can't imagine being Noah and having God unroll the blueprint for a massive ship. Noah may have been thinking, "I don't know the first thing about boat construction. How am I possibly going to do this?" Yet God picked him for this task. God chose him because he was righteous; he reverently feared God, and he walked forward with faith filled obedience.
You see, I have heard lots of teaching on finding out what your talents and gifts are so you can use them in the church. While it is true that God uniquely wires us and gives gifts to His children to build up the church.......in the Bible the way God often chose people goes contrary to this way of thinking.
Jeremiah the prophet felt way TOO YOUNG.
Moses said, "I CAN'T SPEAK."
Isaiah was desperately aware of his UNCLEAN LIPS.
Elijah felt ALONE and DISCOURAGED.
Deborah a WOMAN was called to Judge Israel and lead them into battle in a Patriarchal society.
Nehemiah was a cupbearer by trade called to build a wall around Jerusalem amidst great opposition. Tell me, how does wine sipping prepare for a massive architectural assignment?
Gideon was the YOUNGEST in the most INSIGNIFICANT tribe. He was called while HIDING to lead 300 men against a massive army.
Peter & John were fisherman by trade. They were UNSKILLED, UNEDUCATED, and UNTRAINED. Save for one thing that the religious leaders noted about them....THEY HAD BEEN WITH JESUS.
I could go on and on. God is NOT looking for the most talented, the most experienced, the most educated, or even the most qualified, gifted, or charismatic.
"For the eyes of the LORD move to and fro throughout the earth that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His." -2 Chronicles 16:9a
God is looking for FULLY DEVOTED HEARTS. He is looking for humility. For those faithful in the small. He is looking for the one who with holy fear will be obedient despite opposition. He is looking for those who have been with Jesus.
May I encourage you that ultimately we are not the builders. God is the architect and builder of His church. He hands out the blueprints as we spend time with Jesus. He provides the tools. His power is made perfect in our glaring weakness.
Our job, like Noah, is to pick up the hammer and follow His step by step instructions TRUSTING that if He has called us, He will equip us. In the end, if we are faithful and obedient, the result will be a "ship" that floats even in a storm. And God, not us, will get the glory.
What is God asking you to build?
"And God is able to make all grace [every favor and earthly blessing] come in abundance to you, so that you may always [under all circumstances, regardless of the need] have complete sufficiency in everything [being completely self-sufficient in Him], and have an abundance for every good work and act of charity."-2 Corinthians 9:8 AMP
"may he equip you with all you need for doing his will. May he produce in you, through the power of Jesus Christ, every good thing that is pleasing to him. All glory to him forever and ever! Amen."-Hebrews 13:21
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