Are You Qualified?

Read: Matthew 10:1-4

Last July was the 50^th anniversary of the Apollo 11 Moon Mission, when Neil Armstrong planted the first human foot on the moon.  This dangerously surreal mission was accomplished by a host of highly qualified people.  The 3 acclaimed astronauts on that mission had to undergo years of intense training, pass rigorous academic and physical exams, and finally undergo a highly competitive selection process for that mission.  NASA did everything possible to ensure that only the best of the best of the best were selected for this historic, high-profile mission.

What about God’s own Son, Jesus?  How did He select those He wanted to help Him carry out His mission?

When you read the list of names of the disciples, the apostles (the sent ones), that Jesus brought into His inner circle, the ones He gave His authority to, what were their qualifications?

Fishermen, known scoundrels (tax collectors), political zealots, non-impressive unknowns, doubters, and even betrayers. 

Jesus’ mission was the MOST important mission in history!  Yet, his selection process for His disciples seemed random, unwise and completely ridiculous.   He was here to save the world after all. Shouldn’t He have selected the best of the best of the best for His mission?

Fast forward to Acts Chapter 4 where it says:

“When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished, and they took note that these men had been with Jesus”. Acts 4:13

Did you catch that?  They WERE qualified because they had been with Jesus!!  They did these things by His authority.  Jesus is not in the business of calling the qualified.  He qualifies those He calls! 

Do you feel unworthy, unqualified to be a part of God’s plans in this world? 

In, 1 Corinthians 1:25-31, Paul says:

“For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength.

Brothers and sisters think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. 

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. 

God 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. It is because of Him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. 

Therefore, as it is written: ‘Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.’”

Thank You Lord Jesus for coming to this earth, to live among us, and to carry out the mission of Your love story of redemption, mercy and grace!  When I feel weak, afraid, doubtful, and unqualified to participate in Your mission for me here in this time and place, help me to remember to lean into YOU.  Fill me with Your Spirit to carry Your light into the world today!