If you are human, it is likely that you have felt some sort of inadequacy at some point in your life. Feelings of inadequacy are a powerful force, secular or not. Inadequacy can appear in many forms: relationships, work, education, life trajectory, or even with God.
I am currently in a bible study called “Authentic Prayer” and today we read a passage in Exodus, where Moses begins to feel uncertain and inadequate in response to God calling him to action. If you read carefully, you will come to find that his first two responses to God telling him that he was the chosen one to bring the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt were: “Who am I to do such a task?” and “I can’t”. Doubt. Inadequacy. Fear of failure. These were likely just a few of the many emotions Moses was probably experiencing at this time. As I contemplated the text, I must admit that it felt somewhat refreshing to read that Moses, one of the greatest and faithful leaders in the Bible, also struggled in this area. A light bulb went off and it dawned on me that I too have been the “Moses” in this story more times than I can count. Fortunately for you and for me, the story does not end here.
I delight in the raw truth that though Moses was so reluctant, God was persistent with him and in the end, God’s will was done. Short & sweet, this gave me hope for my life and my personal journey. It should do the same for you. We must come to realize that this inevitable human experience of inadequacy requires a crucial choice. We don’t have the freedom to choose if it happens to us, but we do have the freedom to choose how it affects us. We can choose to let feelings of inadequacy hinder our thought patterns and ultimately our behavior, or we can make a conscious effort and choose to view it in a different light entirely, from a Godly mindset.
Think with me for a moment. If we felt self-sufficient and adequate at all times, that would leave absolutely no room for God to intervene and do any work in our lives. Since we have already established that this situation is not realistic, (as I assume we are all human and have felt inadequate at some point or another), my proposal instead when this feeling arises is to view it as an affirmation that God IS at work in our lives and we CAN be used by Him, even when our gut response from time to time drives us towards doubt and reluctance.
So with that, I will leave you with a prayer I prayed after experiencing this new revelation. If this is is an area you too would like to grow in, we can pray it together. Father, help me to view our inadequacy as a way to invite you into our lives more. Allow us to shift our perspective not from what we CAN’T do, but from what you CAN do. We thank you so much that even though we are still so flawed in our thinking and actions, you still choose to work through us. Thank you for every opportunity you give us to do your work, even when we are so reluctant to do so. And thank you for your unwavering grace & patience, even when we purposely prolong your inevitable will. You are an amazing consistent God & we love that you desire to use your word to teach us to grow us. Help us to be more like you. Amen.
