You are More Qualified Than You Think

I was never that great when it came to classroom-based academics; it wasn’t the ideal learning setting for me. It was very early on that I embraced that well-known phrase:

‘God doesn’t call the qualified, He qualifies the called’.

‘But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things – and the things that are not – to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him’ (1 Corinthians 1:27-29).

It isn’t that the dedication you put into securing an outstanding educational foundation isn’t of value, it is. It’s just that God’s divine purpose overrides natural limitations and human intellect.

Throughout the Bible, there are many examples of God using ordinary people to accomplish extraordinary things. Moses, for example, was chosen by God to lead the Israelites out of Egypt –despite his initial hesitancy and feeling of inadequacy. David, a young shepherd boy, was anointed as the future king of Israel – despite being overlooked by his own family. The twelve disciples, who were mostly uneducated fishermen, were called by Jesus to become His closest followers and spread the Gospel to the ends of the earth.

We should study, work hard, and then be fully open to whatever direction God wants us to take.

Practically, we should be consistent in ensuring we are using our time wisely. Every day is a gift and an opportunity to invest in yourself. What you do with your 24 hours is an indicator of how successful you will be, regardless of that shiny degree or PHD. Pray, exercise, eat well, and have a plan for each day. Do not leave things to chance. Write the vision down daily, not just at the start of a new year.

People don’t plan to fail, they fail to plan

‘Write the vision and make it plain on tablets, that he may run who reads it. For the vision is yet for an appointed time but at the end it will speak, and it will not lie. Though it tarries, wait for it; because it will surely come’ (Habakkuk 2:2-3).

There have been times in the winter when I’ve rush out to do the school run. I’ve turned on the engine and the radio, and am all set to leave, except the car window is completely iced up. I cannot see, so I can’t leave. If your vision is impaired, you’re not going anywhere. If I tried to drive off. I could have an accident, simply because I didn’t plan and prepare.

Some people are great academically; they have every qualification under the sun and have taken the concept of lifelong learning to dizzy heights. Nothing wrong with that – if it isn’t embedded in fear. We all have a purpose, but our destiny will only be fulfilled outside our comfort zone. At some point we must rely on faith and trust God that He will meet us as we walk out His plan.

God’s grace is sufficient for you to maximise every opportunity available to extend yourself, embrace His vision for your life, and make your contribution to the world.

Those ideas, those dreams you think about all the time that excite you, they are there for a reason, so don’t be afraid to step out into the unknown. Ask God for what you want and then boldly confess those things. Our mouths can speak life or death over our future. We don’t just have to think about what goes into our mouths, we also have to think about what comes out of them. A couple of years ago, I noticed that every time someone asked me how I was, I used to say “I’m really tired…” That may well have been the truth, but today if you ask me how I am, I think carefully about how I answer, and make sure the words I say are helping and not hindering me.

Speak in the direction you want your life to take, and remember your potential is unlimited and your dreams are within reach.

God bless you.