I was talking with a
friend recently about how she was to lead a bible study. She went on to say how
was also starting a discipleship where she was the student in hopes of learning
more, as she did not know as much as she thought she should. She was a little
apprehensive about leading others who had more experience and expertise in the
matter.
Perhaps you can you
relate. Maybe you find yourself missing qualifications and degrees. You are not
ready. First, you must do such and such and then this and that. Then you will
be ready to do the task God has in store for you. Then you can change careers
or settle in a new neighborhood. You can enter that new relationship or take on
that ministry.
When God has called you to do something, he will provide all the essentials.
He will give you the support, the finances, the classes. You just have to have
a willing and trusting heart.
Moses said to the Lord, “Pardon your servant, 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.
The Lord said to him, “Who gave human beings their mouths? Who makes them deaf or mute? Who gives them sight or makes them blind? Is it not I, the Lord? Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say.” Exodus 4:10-12
Moses was not qualified
in his eyes to lead the Israelites out of Egypt. And his background? He
professes his lack of eloquence in his speech. And he once killed a guy.
He asks God to send
someone else. But God sees past his failures and weakness. He sees past his
insecurities to his heart. The bible states that Moses was the humblest person
on earth (Numbers 12:3). Ultimately, he was obedient to
tell Pharaoh to let the Israelites leave Egypt and lead the people.
I think that is the
beauty of it all. Moses does not meet the requirements of man but of God.
Moses' weaknesses are made perfect in him (2 Corinthians 12:9). He has to rely
on God to succeed and lead the people, not on his own capabilities. Too often
we take on roles or accrue duties based on what we are capable of doing. We do not leave room for God to show up
because we are too busy doing it all ourselves.
You were made for his
purpose. Your experiences are your own. No one else can teach from your past
and what you have learned because of it. God gave them to you so that you can
share them. You do not need to be qualified, just obedient and willing.
And for extra assurance on qualifications, the disciples, Jesus' closest companions, were not what the Jews would have called qualified. Fishermen and tax collectors spread the good news of Jesus. They learned by following his example. They were not flashy or well known. Just ordinary people with an extraordinary calling. Just like you.
If God has called you
to lead, I pray that you would do it. That you would see his vision for your
leadership. That you would be the servant leader. That you would cling to him
and his guidance, not your own agenda. I pray that you would embrace your
weaknesses and give them to God for him to use for his glory.
Whether you find
yourself leading children in your home, women in your church or employees at
work, I pray that you would see God's leading in it all.
Here's to affirming God's calling to lead in your life and taking
a stand to do it.