I stared at the volunteer information sheet that our contact, Russell, had handed to the members of my team, RedeemIng D.U.S.T., and team P31. Immediately, one word jumped out at me – qualifications.
“What do I put there?,” I thought. “What qualifies me to even be here at this incredible organization in Pretoria, South Africa?”
Immediately God whispered to me, “I do. I qualify you.”
Little did I know that literally twenty minutes later that was exactly the truth that I would need to combat a huge lie the enemy was about to plant in my mind.
You see we had filled out the form to help Russell place us into volunteer positions specific to our passions and skills at POP UP, a Christian nonprofit that works to equip impoverished people with life skills and job training.
In addition to life skills and professional training, POP UP offers many services for the community, including child care, health care, and a food bank. Needless to say there are many niches to fill here.
So when Russell looked at my paper and said with complete confidence, “Raychel, you’ll be on the ministry/counseling team,” immediate thoughts of inadequacy flooded my mind.
With the announcement of my assignment for the month came fear instead of excitement. I felt like there was absolutely no way I could know what to say to anyone who needed counseling. It was as if all of my past ministry experiences were completely erased from my memory, and all that was left told me I wasn’t ready for this. This assignment was too real. Couldn’t I just play with the kids? I knew I could do that. But minister to these men and women with real, valid, difficult struggles? No way! Other people on our squad could do that, but not me.
But as I sat there battling these thoughts of inadequacy, God gently reminded me of His words from that earlier that morning. He reminded me that it wasn’t my own abilities or experience that qualified me and it wasn’t my lack of skill or counseling experience that disqualified me. It was Christ, and Christ alone, that made me worthy to get to know these people and share Jesus’ love with them. He anointed me to do this specific, particular role, and in His anointing is everything I need to live out His call for this month. The reality is that the only thing that qualifies anyone to do ministry is the Lord. He is all we need.
And as I realized that he qualified me through His grace, the Lord spoke to me more distinctly than He has in a long time. He said “This is the gift that I have given you – to be on the frontlines of ministry.”
And as scary as the “frontlines” can be, it is such a blessing to be bringing Kingdom and watching God heal emotional wounds as people step closer and closer to relationships with Christ.
Since learning this lesson, I have been incredibly blessed to serve on the ministry team here at POP UP. I’m working with three incredible professionals and two of my squad mates, and I have already learned so much from all of them. I’ve helped teach life skills and Biblical foundation classes and spoken the truth of God’s Word to most of the learners at POP UP. I’ve had one-on-one meetings and had the chance to get to know several of the students here on a more intimate basis. I’ve had countless opportunities to encourage the learners. And I even had the opportunity to counsel, minister to and pray for a young man who was struggling with suicidal thoughts.
God has already done so much at POP UP within the past week and a half, not only through my ministry, but through all of the World Racers that are here. My team, and the other team that is here with us are spread out between the child care ministry, cooking ministry, health care ministry, sewing classes, and basic education classes. And God is bringing His Kingdom in all of those are areas.
And none of us are qualified in our own rights or ability. But God qualifies us. It is through Him alone that we are able to see lives changed here at POP UP, and apart from Him we can do nothing.
And the same is true for you! You are not inadequate. When you are in Christ, He qualifies you and enables you to do whatever He has called you to.
