“But God, I’m Not Qualified!”

But I am not Qualified! I am not a good speaker. I don't know the right things to say. What if I make a mistake? What if someone laughs at me? Have you ever said any of these statements out loud? Have you ever had any of these thoughts?

To be honest I have had these thoughts many times since becoming a follower of Christ. It's normal to think and feel this way every time you feel God leading you to do something new. Most of the time we think we have to do it in our own power. We forget that God uses those who are willing vessels for Him to speak through. He is more concerned with our availability than He is OUR ability.

The bible is filled with average men and women just like you and I that God used for His message and work to be

done on earth.

I want to share a personal experience of mine that I look back on and laugh about now, but was totally out of my comfort zone. When we lived in upstate New York my pastor was always encouraged me as the Women's Ministry leader.

One Sunday morning at church during announcements he asked me to come to the front and tell what was going on with Women's Ministry that month. I thought I was going to throw up or possibly die. Yes I know that's really dramatic. I was so nervous to speak in front of the whole church even if it was for only a couple of minutes.

Then he did the unthinkable. He dared to hand me the microphone to speak through so everyone could hear me.

At first I made a few faces and pushed back the microphone like it was a plate full of anchovies. I was horrified that he wanted me to speak into that thing so my lack of being an eloquent speaker was going to be amplified for all to hear. But not wanting to cause a scene I took the microphone and made my 90 second announcement.

Guess what? I did not die! I did not even throw up. I made it back to my seat without falling while leaving the platform even though my heart was beating so hard I still thought I would die. Obviously that did not happen. He kept making me do this on a regular basis. After several times I came to the conclusion I was not going to die and I had no problem speaking into the microphone to all these New Yorkers with my southern accent. I am so thankful God used my pastor to push me out of my comfort zone.

I want to encourage you to stop worrying about messing up or making mistakes. Stop thinking that you aren't an eloquent speaker. If God is calling you to speak, He will help you every step of the way. Maybe He is leading you take on a roll of leadership that you have never had and you are thinking, "there has to be someone more qualified than me."

Let me tell you about the time He did just that in my life. He confirmed it without any doubt at all through a total stranger that lived 800 miles away. There are times He will do that. But honestly most of the time He won't. It wouldn't be much if a faith walk would it?

I was volunteering at a local Christian Pregnancy Crisis Center while living in New York. There was a paid position open and the Director was interviewing young women who attended the local university. After I saw a couple of the women leave I thought, "I wonder if I could apply? Am I qualified? Do I have the abilities they are looking for? Is this something God wants me to do?"

Sometimes you just have to step out in faith. I asked the Director Helen if I could apply for the Client Services Director position. She looked at me surprised and asked, "You would be interested?" I answered yes because I really enjoyed what I was doing already as a volunteer. She was excited and said she would submit my name to the board. They would be making a decision the next week. Here is where something really cool happens.

I was taking an 800 mile road trip to visit family in Georgia and Tennessee. I don't know about you but some of my best prayer times happen while driving by myself. I kept saying, "Lord I only want this position if you want me to have it." While on my trip I stopped at a long time friend's home to stay overnight on the way back. We had not seen each other in over ten years and casually talked on Facebook. She is one of those friends that you can be with for five minutes and it seems you have never been apart.

We hung out and then I went to church with her and her family the next day. I had never been to her church. The service started and the piano player was singing when all of a sudden she stopped. She said, "I had to stop because I have a message for you." She pointed to me. We had briefly shook hands and met right before the service. She said, "I T to New York and went into the Center the director let me know that the board voted unanimously for me to fill the position.

I shared these examples with you to encourage you not to let your lack of education, your age, or your speaking skills hold you back from stepping into the place of ministry God has for you.

I pray that you will be available and trust God's ability to work through you in any way He is calling. Until next time keep walking in the confidence of Christ.