God Doesn't Call The Qualified, He Qualifies: Faith Over Talent
Do you ever feel the weight of inadequacy when faced with a challenge, a calling, or a task that seems beyond your capabilities? The truth is, God often chooses the seemingly unqualified to accomplish His extraordinary purposes.
The Apostle Paul, in his letter to the Corinthians (2 Corinthians 2:16), grappled with the very essence of his calling. He understood that his confidence wasn't derived from his own inherent abilities, but from the profound awareness that he was merely an instrument, a vessel in the hands of God. This understanding is crucial, because it challenges the notion that success hinges on innate talent or worldly qualifications.
The world often places a premium on skill, experience, and expertise. We are constantly bombarded with messages that tell us we need to be "good enough" or "qualified" to achieve our goals. But the biblical perspective offers a radical alternative: "God qualifies the called, He does not call the qualified." (This statement finds its roots in biblical teachings about God equipping those he calls to serve him.) This principle underpins the very fabric of faith, reminding us that God's standard for leadership and service is rooted in trust in Him, not in any particular set of skills or talents. He uses what the world sees as weakness to reveal His power. Consider the Apostle Paul's own words, My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9). This is the essence of God's approach.
This revolutionary concept is often reflected in various aspects. For instance, in Exodus 3, when God calls Moses to lead the Israelites out of Egypt, Moses feels unqualified. He feels anxiety, expresses fear and anxiety thrice in this chapter. In Exodus 4:10, Moses says to the Lord, Please, Lord, I have never been eloquent, neither recently nor in time past, nor since you have spoken to your servant; for I am slow of speech and slow of tongue. He expresses his limitations, his perceived inadequacies. Yet, God responds not by dismissing Moses but by assuring him, "I will be with you." God acknowledged his feelings and showed his presence. God provided Aaron to speak on his behalf, and He equipped Moses with the power to perform miracles. This divine response is illustrative of the central theme: God equips those He calls.
The stories of Peter and John in Acts 3 further illuminate this principle. These men, who were not known for their formal education or worldly status, were instrumental in spreading the Gospel. Their boldness and effectiveness in proclaiming the resurrection of Jesus, despite facing opposition from religious authorities, are a testament to the power of God working through ordinary individuals (Acts 4:2). They were not particularly eloquent, and they lacked the worldly qualifications that might have seemed necessary. Yet, through the power of the Holy Spirit, they became powerful witnesses for Christ.
The core message is clear: Jesus does not call the qualified; He qualifies the called (Ephesians 2:10). He equips us for the tasks He calls us to. He looks at the heart, not the resume. He sees potential where others see limitations. He chooses the seemingly foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and the weak things of the world to shame the strong. He uses our weaknesses as a canvas to display His strength.
Throughout scripture, we see this pattern repeated. God often calls individuals who feel inadequate, ordinary people, and empowers them to carry out extraordinary plans (Jeremiah 1:5). They were people who recognized their own limitations. They trusted in the Lord, not in their own understanding. They sought His will in all they did, and He showed them which path to take (Proverbs 3:5-6). This is a radical departure from the world's view, which often prioritizes talent, education, and worldly success. It highlights that the foundation of faith is trust and complete devotion to god.
As the apostle Paul reminds us, "For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do (Ephesians 2:10)." Everything in God's kingdom has been purchased for us, and this means that we don't have to earn anything. The price has been paid. The only thing left to do is to walk in everything Jesus paid for us to have.
So, what truly qualifies us? Jesus is the only one who can qualify us. We don't need to be super talented to change the world for Jesus. We just need to be willing to have faith in Him. We must also remember that He qualifies those He calls. Remember the words of Christine Caine: God does not call the qualified, he qualifies the called.
In this context, lets consider the lives of some key biblical figures, who felt unprepared but were ultimately used by God.
| Name | Background | Initial Reaction/Feelings | God's Response & Empowerment | Impact/Legacy | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Moses | Shepherd, raised in Egyptian royal household. | Felt unqualified, lacking in eloquence, and hesitant to lead. | Assured him of His presence ("I will be with you"), provided Aaron as a spokesperson, and empowered him with miraculous signs. | Led the Israelites out of Egypt, received the Ten Commandments, and established a covenant with God. | Exodus 3 |
| Peter | Fisherman, uneducated. | Initially impulsive, denied Jesus. | Filled with the Holy Spirit, transformed into a bold preacher, given authority. | A key leader in the early church, preached the first sermon after Pentecost, instrumental in the spread of the Gospel. | Acts 2 |
| Paul | Pharisee, persecutor of Christians. | Initially opposed to Christianity. | Radically transformed by an encounter with Christ on the road to Damascus, called to be an apostle. | Wrote a significant portion of the New Testament, spread the Gospel throughout the Roman world, and established numerous churches. | Acts 9 |
| Gideon | From a humble family, felt insignificant. | Doubted his ability, questioned God. | God assured him of His presence, provided signs to confirm his calling, and reduced his army to demonstrate His power. | Led the Israelites to victory over the Midianites. | Judges 6 |
| Jeremiah | Young man, unsure of his ability to speak. | Felt too young and inexperienced to be a prophet. | God touched his mouth and gave him the words to speak, assured him of His protection. | Prophet to the nations, warned Judah of its impending judgment, wrote the book of Jeremiah. | Jeremiah 1 |
These stories, and countless others, remind us that God values the heart, the willingness to trust and obey, and the faithfulness to show the world His power (2 Corinthians 12:9). He equips us for the tasks He calls us to. Moses expressed his fear and anxiety thrice in this chapter. But he could not say 'no'. God had an answer to his concerns. We are reminded through the scripture that God's strength shines brightest through our weaknesses. These individuals were not perfect, but they were willing to be used by God.
The reality is, "God does not call the qualified, He qualifies the called." This truth offers profound comfort and encouragement. It means that if you feel unqualified or inadequate for a task or calling in your life, you are not alone. In fact, you are in good company. Your weaknesses can become the very places where God's power is most evident. This is a powerful truth and it brings comfort, guidance, and hope. Trust in Him, and let Him use you for His glory.
So, the next time you feel underqualified, remember that God doesn't call the qualified; He qualifies the called. "For we are Gods handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."
Remember these crucial points:
- Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. (Proverbs 3:5-6)
- He will even use our past failings for a good purpose.
- God often calls people to do things they never thought they could do.
- Grace qualifies the unqualified and makes the unworthy worthy to stand before God as one who is perfectly and completely loved through nothing they have done.
- If you are at all like me, you will have believed he could call others, but not you. This is simply not true. Through you, Christ does his work. You need no skills, no great fortune, just to answer his call.
Therefore, the message is: God does not call the qualified, God qualifies the called. Go and do what he has called you to do, and trust that He will equip you with everything you need.
