God Doesn't Call the Qualified...

He qualifies the willing.  Have you ever heard this saying before.  There are a few sayings people like to quote that I struggle with, like "God helps those who help themselves." (Not biblical)  But I love this quote because I think so many times the excuse we give to God when he calls us to something is that we are not qualified.  Yet all throughout the bible we see people that God used who had no training.  They weren't qualified for what God was calling them too, but God wanted to use them.  Lets look at a couple of people.

Moses: When God was calling Moses to go to Pharaoh and release the Jewish people, Moses had a list of excuses.  In Exodus 3:11, we see he has no confidence in himself.  In 4:1, he doubted that people would believe him.  His last excuse came in 4:10,13 when he expressed he was an eloquent speaker.  Yet besides all this, God wanted to use him and he did.  When Moses finally became willing, God did miraculous things through him.

Peter: Peter was just a fisherman.  He had a short temper, was impulsive, brash...not someone you would think Jesus would want as one of his disciples.  Yet not only was Peter one of the 12, he was one of three the was very close to Jesus.  His impulsiveness led to the beautiful story of him climbing out of the boat when no one else would, then doubted.  He was also one who started the Christian church.  Peter was far from qualified, but because he was willing, he was used.

Timothy:  Timothy dealt with a lot of doubt.  He was also self conscious because of his age.  Thankfully he had an amazing mentor, Paul, who helped him see that God doesn't look at the things man does, but at the heart.

There are so many other stories of people in the bible who to the worlds eye were not qualified; Joseph was the youngest, as was David.  Jeremiah felt he was too young for God to use; Esther was just a commoner, Ruth was a foreigner, Mary was just a girl.  To the world none of these people were qualified for the roles God had for them, yet since they were willing, God used them and qualified them through his blessings.

So what are some excuses that you say when you feel God is calling you to something you don't feel qualified for.  I thought of a couple, and of the verses that dispute them

"I'm a nobody." Oh how wrong you are sweet one.  You are a child of God!  Psalm 139 is a great chapter to read to show how precious you are to God, but here is a little part of it that I love
vs 13-18:  For you created my inmost being;
    you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
  I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
    your works are wonderful,
    I know that full well. 
 My frame was not hidden from you
    when I was made in the secret place,
    when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. 
 Your eyes saw my unformed body;
    all the days ordained for me were written in your book
    before one of them came to be. 
 How precious to me are your thoughts,^[a] God!
    How vast is the sum of them! 
 Were I to count them,
    they would outnumber the grains of sand—
    when I awake, I am still with you.

"I'm not smart enough."  I have to say this is my excuse a lot when it comes to evangelism.  James 1:5 and Proverbs 2:6-8 show us the when God calls us to something, its not our own knowledge we need to lean on.
James 1:5 " If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you."

"I'm not gifted."  Sweet one, we are all blessed with some gift.  Ask God to show you what your gift is and use it. 
Romans 12:6-8 "We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach;  if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully."
 1 Peter 4:10 " Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms."

"I'm too young."  God uses everyone no matter what age.  I remember when my oldest was four and her Sunday school class did a mission project at McDonald's.  It might have seemed little or silly, but her and another girl held the door open for people and said "Have a good lunch...Jesus loves you."  I can't tell you the number of people who came up to me to say how much those few words meant to them.  So if God can use a four year old at McDonald's, he can us you.
1 Timothy 4:12-14 "And don’t let anyone put you down because you’re young. Teach believers with your life: by word, by demeanor, by love, by faith, by integrity. Stay at your post reading Scripture, giving counsel, teaching. And that special gift of ministry you were given when the leaders of the church laid hands on you and prayed—keep that dusted off and in use."

So the next time you hear God calling you to something, instead of saying some excuse, say the words of Isaiah 6:8 "Here am I!  Send Me!"