You Don’t Need More of These Before God Uses You

When Moses built the tabernacle under the guidance and command of the Lord, he called for those who were willing to work. When David was in the cave of Adullam, hiding from Saul, many people came to him who were frustrated, in debt, or in some form of distress. Years later, these same people became his mighty men and stalwart warriors, whom we read about in 1 Chronicles.

When Jesus chose His disciples, He singled them out from those who willingly followed Him. Peter and Andrew, James and John, Matthew and Nathaniel, who immediately left everything to follow Him, were ordinary people. After the coming of the Holy Spirit, they became the Apostles who fearlessly shared the gospel and turned the world upside down.

God works with those available and equips and enables them to do His will. With Him, availability supersedes capacity, willingness is more important than ability, and obedience trumps aptitude. The world looks for the qualified and the talented, but God looks for those whose hearts are devoted to Him and are willing to obey Him. He looks for vessels to pour His power and grace, broken but willing, rather than the capable and the talented.

God called me to be a teacher of His Word, and for years, I prepared by immersing myself in the Word, using my free time and vacations to study the Scriptures. I delighted in meditating on His Word, studying each book, and taking careful notes. I could not keep the revelations God gave me to myself, so I shared them whenever, wherever, and with whomever I could. My dad provided opportunities to share in our small house church, and later in small groups in a larger church. I continued to spend time with God and His Word, even when I had my own family and responsibilities that often overwhelmed me.

Quality time with the Word was never lost, though I did not have as much time for Bible study as I did in my youth. Years of consistent study enhanced my acumen, insight, and wisdom in the Word. People began recognizing my expertise in the Word and my confidence in handling it. My love for His Word was also honed by listening and learning from leaders God sent my way. Today, I am often called to clarify Scripture and authenticate teachings, and I am known for my knowledge of Bible studies. As we stay faithful and constant, God brings forth our righteousness and establishes us, even when we are unknown!

My first experience in helping others grow in Christ came in a very simple way while traveling to college. I struck up a conversation with a girl, learned that she was a secret Christian, and began helping her grow in Christ. I took time to visit her, teach her the scriptures, lead her into the waters of baptism, and anoint her with the Holy Spirit. I stood with her as she faced opposition, counseling her in marriage, and watched her grow to maturity. Today, she and her whole family are followers of Christ, all of them strong Christians who serve the Lord. I continued mentoring other girls and women I met in college and at work, and later quietly discipled many in our church’s small groups. I faithfully mentored others, whether in small or large groups, helping lay solid foundations in their lives. This labor took years to surface, and I learned to be quiet until the fruit of it became evident to all. I became an accepted leader in our church community by doing what I could. The God Who sees in secret will always reward us openly, expanding our horizon and honoring us beyond our imagination!

For years, I felt a strong urge to write. I often transcribed sermons, served as my family’s letter writer, and excelled in languages at school and college. As I watched others become published, I often felt caged, unable to express the writing gift bubbling within me. I questioned why I was unable to write and bring to the surface what was burning within. Although I wrote many articles and papers as part of my work, I could not seem to create something that felt wholly my own. I first stepped up boldly to write a short note in a newspaper, then participated in writing competitions, and took on extra work as a content writer. My writing became organized and recognized when I joined an online writing community. Every week, we had to write a short 100-word snippet for a photo prompt. I began hesitantly, but with consistent weekly practice and the group’s encouragement, I gained confidence, and the writing began to flow. Today, I am a published author and writer, regularly penning articles and contributing to magazines and websites. When God places something in your heart or gives you a longing that aligns with His will, He faithfully orders and orchestrates everything, enabling you to flourish.

While teaching others, I often wished I could produce video content but lacked the equipment, know-how, or expertise to record my lessons. This yearning would sometimes overwhelm me, especially when I would wistfully watch those who had the opportunity and the capacity to make videos and record content. One day, while browsing the internet, I came across a paid software program I could use to create videos. I just had to share my writing, both prose and poetry, and I would convert it into a full video by adding appropriate scenes and clips. As a writer, I had rich content, and all I had to do was load my article into the site and use the software to generate videos. I started two YouTube channels, became proficient at converting my blog posts into videos, and today use AI and other apps to make videos. I often marvel at His grace and the way He has equipped me to accomplish the impossible, developing expertise even where I was not proficient!

When God called Jeremiah and designated him as a prophet to the nations, his first response was, I am too young. When God called Gideon, he said I am the least of my father’s house. Moses said I can’t go before Pharaoh because I stutter and can’t speak fluently. Prophet Amos told those who opposed him that he was only a gatherer of sycamore tree fruit. Esther was just a young girl who had been chosen to be part of the king’s harem. David was just a shepherd boy, Joseph a slave, and Daniel a teenager when they stood before kings. Paul was a man of small stature with a physical weakness, while Timothy had to be pushed to exercise his gift.

All of these, and others used by God, were often nothing or seemed to be nothing, in their own eyes and in the eyes of others. Yet these were the very ones He used mightily to shake and overthrow kingdoms, and do mighty exploits. God chooses the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, the weak things of the world to shame the strong, and the lowly and despised things—and even the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before Him.

So, be willing to do His bidding rather than lamenting your lack of training or expertise.