Qualified

Have you ever wondered if you “have what it takes” to be used by God?

Perhaps, like I have done during so many gray days in my life, you have slogged through the greasy morning dishes … the intimidating mountains of laundry … the unending text messages … and unpaid bills … and then have thought, “My life will never change. God will never be able to use me like He did Esther, David, Daniel and Ruth.”

Or maybe for you it is not just the foggy nothingness of life that is keeping you from your destiny in Christ but it is a past sin or failure that dogs at the heels of your potential.  You wonder if God can use someone who has had an abortion … who has been divorced … who has gone through bankruptcy … whose child deals with addictions.

I have loved a powerful quote and often remember it when I am in my own self-created depths of despair.  I hope that you don’t think that this particular quote is hokey or cheesy … but that you can use it as a tool of encouraging yourself in the Lord as I have!

                Jacob was a cheater – Peter had a temper –

                David had an affair and killed a man –

                Noah got drunk – Jonah ran from God

                Paul was an assassin - Gideon was insecure

                Miriam was a gossip - Martha was a complainer

                Thomas was a doubter - Sarah was impatient

                Elijah was moody – Moses stuttered

                Zaccheus was short – Abraham was old

                Lazarus was DEAD –

                Now … what was your excuse again?!

You see – the truth that you and I often ignore in our deepest discouragement is this Scripture-based fact: The only type of people that God is able to use are imperfect people!

One of the most amazing characteristics about the God we serve is that when we make a mistake God doesn’t love us any less than He did before the mistake! 

When we sin – He doesn’t turn away from us but He comes after us!

What an astounding fact!

I believe that it is actually our human weaknesses or frailties that qualify us for service in the Kingdom of God.

When we are weak – He is strong.

When we fail – He is perfect.

When we cry – He holds us.

When we sin – He forgives.

When we say, “I can’t” … He declares, “But I can!”

So today – for all of us who are feeling unusable – I thought that I would encourage you (and myself!) by sharing with you what I believe are the 6 qualifications that it takes to be used by God!

Are you ready?!  Let’s go …

6 Qualifications for Service in the Kingdom of God

1 – Simply love Jesus.  Love Him with your whole heart every day in every possible way.  Tell Him that you love Him … tell others that you love Him …  and think loving thoughts about Him as you drift off to sleep at night. The first thought that you should think when you hear the alarm clock ring in the early morning light is, “Wow! I have been given another day to love Jesus!”

2 – Worship Him unconditionally.  Sing a loud song of praise on the very worst day of your life. When the bills aren’t paid … and the house is a mess … and the kids are screaming … break out into a hymn of worship! Don’t ever allow your circumstances to stifle your praise. Sing often and sing vibrantly! Make a joyful noise to the Lord as you drown out the clamor of your circumstances.

3 – When you blow it – get right back up and begin again. Don’t be paralyzed by your failures in life but dust yourself off and try again!  Try again and again and again. Failure is never final as long as you are willing to learn from your mistakes!

4 – Tell the Lord that you are available.  Ask Him to use you.  Give Him your heart, your mind, your mouth, your talents, your fears, your weaknesses, your successes, your shame, your failure, your strengths, your family, your home, your time, your money … give Him everything that you are and humbly ask Him to use you today.

5 – Look for ordinary open doors and be on the alert for common opportunities. When your church needs a Sunday School teacher – make yourself available. When your neighbor needs a ride to the doctor’s office – just do it. When your mom needs encouragement – you are just the person for the job! When a young mom needs a morning off – offer your services joyfully! So many people are waiting to speak in arenas in front of massive crowds … or to lead worship in front of thousands … or to write the best-selling book of a generation … but I have learned that the biggest thing in life is simply to be faithful in the little things!

6 – Create opportunities for ministry. Invite people into your home for a Bible Study … ask a widow out for coffee and pray with her … be kind to the cashier at the grocery store … share a favorite book with the girl who does your hair or nails … invite your neighbors to church. You ARE the ministry so just make it happen!

If your heart’s desire is to make a difference at your moment in history – please don’t make it any harder than it is. 

God is looking for a few good men and a few good women who are head over heels in love with Him … who know how to sing loudly … who are never paralyzed by their mistakes … who offer their services daily … who meet the needs around them … and whose very life creates a ministry environment.

Thanks for listening to my heart this week.  As you know by now, my heart is truly not a perfect heart but it is a heart that is filled to overflowing with gratitude for the life I have been given and for the people who walk with me.  And, it continues to be a heart that is relentlessly chasing after God and all that He is!