“God doesn’t call the qualified. He qualifies the called.”

I have heard this quote for some years now. In fact when I was doing some research on who actually penned it, it kept listing different people. I’m not sure who I owe the credit to, but I absolutely love it. It speaks such truth. It’s short and to the point, but it reaches exactly where we live as we seek to serve God.

As I look back on my life, I’m reminded of just how much I have lived this out time and time again. Anytime God has called me to do something, I have always felt as if I didn’t have what it took. I didn’t have enough education. I didn’t have enough experience. I lacked everything that was needed for that particular ministry. In fact, I have always felt like the least likely candidate. Surely there is someone else that God would choose besides me. Why would God decide to use me when I felt less than?

Then through all of my self-doubt, God reminded me that I had my focus on all of the wrong things. It wasn’t about all of the things that I could or couldn’t do, it was all about my willingness and desire to be used by God. He was looking at my heart. When He saw my desire to be all that He wanted me to be, then it changed everything. This is where He stepped in and changed every last bit. No longer was it about my credentials (or lack thereof), it became more about allowing God to pour into me those things that only come from Him. When we allow God to do the inside work on us, it changes everything. All of the molding and shaping into the image of our Heavenly Father gives Him the space available to perfect us in those places that we are serving Him.

If we feel secure in what we do, then we no longer rely upon Him to do those things that He’s called us to do. We begin to feel as if we don’t need God. We can do it all ourselves. We can make it happen. No longer do we trust Him to make it happen. We just go through the motions and hope and pray that God blesses it.

So no longer do I have the desire to have it all together in those places that I’m serving. I want to do my best. I want to study and be prepared, but never do I want to get to the point where I’ve worked God out of a job. I desperately need Him to continue challenging me and pushing me to be all that I can be for Him. There is no happier place to be than having to depend on Him to make it all happen. That way it’s no longer about me, but it’s about just how awesome and amazing my Abba Father is. He’s taking me, just a lump of clay, and making something beautiful to bring Him glory. Now that’s my God!

The next time you begin to question if God has the right person for the job, you just remind yourself that you are the right person – all because you don’t have it all perfect and polished. He’s sees your willing heart, and that’s all He asks. Willing hearts and willing vessels. That’s what He loves the most. Then you’ll be the one he calls qualified, beautiful son or daughter.