A few years ago I wrote my first book, and one day after its publication I decided to surf the Internet to see if I could find any helpful reviews for the “paperback baby” I had just birthed after almost a year of labor.
Google led me to a blog with an excerpt from my new read and a string of comments from a handful of people. A few had read my new book, some hadn’t.
“She has no business writing and speaking. She doesn’t even have a degree in journalism.”
“I have been in Christian education my entire life and even I don’t have a book published. She shouldn’t be writing.”
“I spoke with my father who is a pastor and he said that Shana is totally unqualified.”
“There must be something wrong with her.”
I’ll be the first to admit that I’m not perfect, but these comments—and others like them—hurt.They weren’t about my new book; they were about my character and qualifications. They were about me! To top it off, they were from people who didn’t know me.
Finding Encouragement
When I pondered their comments, my spirit deflated. Perhaps they are right. I’m not qualified. I should just quit. I should stop talking about Christ, stop writing about Him. Who do I think I am? I haven’t been to seminary; I don’t have any formal speaking training. And, what makes me think I can write books? I don’t even have an English degree!
My mind immediately turned to a prayer session I had spent with a few godly, affirming women.These ladies reminded me that those who struggle are the perfect candidates for God’s grace and to be used by Him. I then looked up 1 Corinthians 1:27-31 which says:
“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. He 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.Therefore, as it is written: ‘Let him who boasts boast in the LORD.’”
Suddenly, when the truth of this scripture sank in to my heart, the sadness I momentarily felt about being unqualified turned to jubilation. I am not qualified and that is magnificent, awesome, and a truly wonderful thing! It’s precisely because I am not qualified that I can only boast in Christ, and Jesus is lifted up!
You’re Not Qualified and It’s a Good Thing
Maybe God has called you to a task, dream, or challenge and you feel unqualified. Let me encourage you. You are unqualified—at least in some way—and that’s a very good thing. Even if you have the degree or the credentials, no one makes a difference for Christ, whether it’s in medicine, ministry, business, or botany because he or she feels totally qualified. God chooses the foolish things of the world to shame the wise. Those who succeed and make a difference for God are those who are willing to step out in faith even though they know they are not totally qualified. Remember this as you support those around you who are stepping out in faith—and remember this as you step out in faith.
You are unqualified—and this is a very, very good thing. It’s the very reason that Christ can be glorified through you.
