As I prepared for the World Race I had a lot of people tell me that they felt I was perfect for this mission trip and they could never do something like this. They claimed they just weren’t ‘qualified’, or ‘prepared’ or ‘equipped’. Let me tell you guys a little secret:
According to the world I wouldn’t be qualified to be a missionary. To be on the World Race.
I didn’t go to bible college. I majored in financial planning, something on the complete other side of the spectrum. I have struggled to consistently read my bible my whole life. You could write a book about the mistakes I’ve made in my life, chapter after chapter of struggles and failures.
But let me tell you something that shouldn’t be a secret:
God can use you just as you are. He loves you just as you are, despite your flaws and failures.
So when God called I answered. Sure there was a little part of me that was scared. Unsure of what I would say or do in certain situations that came up this year. I don’t think anyone is ever 100% ready for the World Race, but if I spent my whole life waiting until I felt ready before I did something…I would live an uneventful and unproductive life.
The Lord didn’t want me to try and ‘fix everything’ before I started travelling the world to show people the love of Jesus.
He uses me not despite my flaws but because of my flaws.
My life and story is a testament to the fact God can use anyone. He just wants us. He wants our hearts. He wants that intimate relationship with us. He wants us to boldly and faithfully shout out ‘Send me God! I will be your hands and feet! I know you are greater than any uncertainty, doubt or shortcomings I have Lord, use me in any way possible to share the glorious news of salvation through Jesus Christ.’
This past week we had a few days of ministry called ‘Ask the Lord’. We went to the center of town and asked God to use us in any way possible to serve the people of Quiche.
Once again, I would appear underqualified. I don’t speak Spanish. I am not musically talented to play or sing for people.
But thankfully I serve a Lord who has equipped me in more ways than any kind of worldly education ever could.
So we spent those two days offering prayer to anyone in need. Hearing the stories of the sick and crippled and praying for them. Sitting with the mute on the side of the street just to tangibly show them that they are loved and not forgotten. Singing the only Spanish worship song we knew over and over again. Buying fruit and giving it to the boys who spent all day shining shoes to make some kind of living.
We didn’t worry about what we were ‘prepared’ or ‘qualified’ for…we saw people who were hurting, who were in need….and showered them with Christ’s love in any way we could.
Although we often associate the mission field with the plains of Africa or the orphanages of Asia, each and every day we wake up a missionary. So whether it’s in your corporate job, or just at the grocery store this week I encourage you to step out boldly and ask the Lord to use you in any way possible.
Don’t worry about being ‘under qualified’ or not sufficient…because God is more than enough and he has equipped all of us.
Take that baby step of faith…and let the Lord go to work.
