Underqualified

You are underqualified.

And you know what the worst part was?  I believed that lie.  I sank down into that pit.  And, like an animal that rolls around in its own dirt, I stayed there nice and long, keeping company with my morose thoughts. 

Why is it easier to believe lies than to face the truth?  Lies destroy relationships, careers, lives.  The truth sets us free, restores, and gives hope.  Yet, we choose to face the severity of falsehood over the freedom of truth because we're comfortable there.  We're okay with the fact that we are never expected to be better than we are--to live a life worthy of the calling we have in Christ.  We're okay with mediocrity, with not having to resolve broken relationships, with not having to step outside of our comfort zone--especially when the truth calls us to do all of the above and often in the most unlikely of ways. 

Labels are especially hard to shake--especially the ones we give ourselves.

And as I was in that place of self-pity for some time this fall, the Lord snapped me out of it by saying:

You're right.  You are underqualified.

"Uh, excuse me, Lord?  That's not very Dr. Phil-like of you," I said back.

But I will qualify you, just as I have always done for you and for all those who serve me.

Just that morning I had read the story of Noah, and I reflected back on the other "greats" in our faith--how they were the most unlikely of people, but had the greatest adventures with God.  They were all underqualified as well, but God used their weaknesses to make Himself known.  So I guess that means you and I are in good company.