There’s something in all of us that wants to tell us we’re not good enough, we’re not educated enough or qualified to speak up or to stand up for something we believe in when it comes to sharing the gospel. We say to ourselves, “Who am I to share? Why would anyone want to listen to me?” The reason we ask this question is because we have a warped view of our identity, we don’t see ourselves accurately. As believers in Christ, how we are viewed by God is very different. He sees us as His children, made in His image capable of carrying out whatever assignments He gives us. Yet for ourselves we have an unrealistic standard that we believe we must attain before He can use us. Paul, when addressing issues of division in the church reminds them:
“For Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the gospel, and not with words of eloquent wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.” – I Corinthians 1:17 ESV
It cannot be about your abilities, it cannot be about how qualified you are to speak up and deliver God’s message or God won’t be able to get the glory for the work that He will do through you. Throughout the Scriptures we see God choosing to use the least qualified. A small shepherd boy became mighty King David, an 80 year old man named Moses lead God’s people out of Egypt.
My own journey to learning to believe this has lead me here. For so long I’ve wanted to share my thoughts about my faith and learn to share in my own voice, but often felt silenced by my own censor telling me I wasn’t qualified. That what I had to say wasn’t original or good enough to be relevant. But I’ve felt God calling me to speak up, so this is my attempt at following that call to see where it leads.
If you feel a similar call may this be a reminder that it’s not about your abilities, but His power that will allow your words to be powerful and effective to others.