In today’s world, we’re accustomed to qualifications. If you don’t check all the boxes you are instantly deemed as less qualified, worthy, or capable. It can be a hard pill to swallow and even easier to carry that same mindset and expectation over to God and the way He sees us
. The good news is that God’s Kingdom doesn’t adapt to the standards of our world. The world looks at your past and decides that you have to be boxed into those mistakes or decisions that you made for the rest of your life. It looks at your appearance or age and decides that you don’t ‘have the look’ or are past your prime time. It looks at the trauma that you have experienced and decides that you are too broken to be whole again, or used for any good.
The world is a harsh place, but even worse is when the world in our minds or the enemy convinces us that this is how God sees us too. When you’ve experienced a painful past, it can be easy to feel as though you are too broken to be loved or to be used by God. You may have been through a season that has felt so quiet that you no longer believe that God has a plan for your life.
Scripture shows us that God used all kinds of people with unlikely circumstances. Abraham and his wife Sarah may be the most well-known example of God’s work in what seems most impossible. Amid this great miracle of a child promised to an old man and barren woman God says this - “Is anything too hard for the Lord? At the appointed time I will return to you, about this time next year, and Sarah shall have a son” (Genesis 18:14).
If you are with Christ, you are on the winning team, no matter how bleak your circumstances may look at times. The greatest victory has already been accomplished for us. Christ’s victory over sin and death! That is our defense against the enemy, friend. That is our qualification. As children of God, as new creations, as the chosen of God, and the apple of His eye.
Paul says it best in 2 Corinthians 3:5, our qualification does not come from ourselves, others, our failures or accomplishments, but we are qualified by God. It is the work of the Spirit within us that testifies to God’s presence in and around us. Those who God touches through our lives are a testimony in itself and bring Him great glory.
God uses our most broken pieces for His glory, to encourage others who like us know pain and disappointment. The difference is that we have hope, we have Christ! And we get to share Him with those who don’t.
Friend, you still have a unique purpose to serve on the earth. You don’t have to wait for a certain day or opportunity to arrive. Wherever you are is where you can serve with purpose because He has qualified you.
It is not that we think we are qualified to do anything on our own. Our qualification comes from God. - 2 Corinthians 3:5
A Prayer for you: Father, Thank You for Christ’s sacrifice that has made me new and qualified me in ways I never imagined possible. Thank You that my past, my pain and trauma do not change the way You see me, and that You use those very things to bring You glory. Please, help me to reject the lies of the enemy that lead me away from Your truth. May my life bring you glory, Lord. In Jesus’ name, I pray, amen.
Be blessed and be encouraged! 💞
