I remember the first time I wrote my first resume. I layed out my name, contact information, and experience easily. Then came qualifications… Uh oh. What was I, a seventeen year old, high school senior qualified for? I remember leaving that part blank for quite a while until I spoke with an advisor. Through her prompting, I actually began to remember experiences that gave me qualifications I didn’t even realize I had. I left that advising appointment feeling empowered and much more prepared to apply and interview for my first jobs.
I can’t help but think back to that time as I prepare to head into the mission field for an entire year. Talk about not feeling qualified! As I begin to “meet” some of the people I will be ministering with over our 11 month trip via Facebook groups, I subconsciously begin to compare myself spiritually. There are so many who seem much more spiritual, who are already confident enough to speak to large crowds, who speak in tongues, who have faith so powerful they have seen healings happen before their eyes. They are ready to go speak healing and power to the nations! And me? I feel completely mediocre at best.
Not to say I don’t have confidence in my faith and power, but the comparison game can make confidence waiver fast. When I first applied for the World Race, the verse that I kept in mind as my warrior call was Isaiah 61:1-2
“The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is upon me, for the Lord has ANOINTED me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to comfort the broken-hearted and to proclaim the captives will be released and the prisoners will be freed. He has sent me to tell those who mourn that the time of the Lord’s favor has come.” (NLT)
In this verse, Isaiah is speaking prophetically about Jesus himself (Luke 4:16-22). Jesus says He has been anointed because he has received the Spirit of the Lord when He was baptized by John and the Holy Spirit descended “like a dove” (Mathew 3:16). And now we, who have also received the Holy Spirit, are just as qualified and anointed to bring good news, comfort, and freedom! WOO! There’s that empowerment again!!
The most wonderful part is that the Holy Spirit sets a level playing field for those who are called into ministry. When we are called, we are made qualified for the purpose that the Lord has for us in that place. In ancient times, anointing was used medicinally, the sick were anointed in oil from head to toe for healing. That image give me chills because all I can think is how when God anoints us, He heals our spirits, and the wounds of the past that make us feel inadequate to serve others vanish.
Instead of covering our scars of insecurity, fear, and shame, we can boldly stand in the glory that is redemption, and proudly radiate purpose, passion, and confidence.
Be RADIANT my friends!!
