God called my husband and I to plant a church in Seattle.
We knew from the moment God brought us together that we would end up in the beautiful Emerald City. We’ve been living and working here for over three years now and it’s been an exciting adventure so far!
To say there haven’t been any doubts or fears would be dishonest. I haven’t doubted God’s plan and I believe with all my heart that we are right, smack dab in the middle of His will.
I have, however, doubted myself plenty!
There are so many amazing pastors’ wives that I admire and respect. When I look at myself, I can easily feel completely unqualified! I’ve literally thought, “what in the world was God thinking when He picked me?”
After all, I’ve never done anything like this and I’m not like any pastor’s wife I’ve known. They seem to have it all together and always know just what to say and when to say it. Until recently, I was the youngest person in our church, and I still am on many Sundays. I felt like I had absolutely nothing to offer the people who were walking through the doors of our church. It felt like God trusted me with this huge responsibility and I was afraid I was going to let Him and everyone else down.
Over the past few years, I’ve learned something pretty awesome. God does not expect me to be a superstar pastor’s wife. He doesn’t expect me to have all the answers. He doesn’t expect me to be perfect.
･ All God wants from me is a willing spirit.
･ He wants me to be willing to step out of my comfort zone, even if it scares me.
･ He wants me to be willing to love and serve those He sends our way, even if I don’t always know just how to do that.
･ He wants me to stop comparing myself to others and to stop worrying about what I lack.
･ He wants me to be willing to use what I do have for His kingdom and let Him do the rest.
In Exodus, God called Moses to return to Egypt and lead the Children of Israel out of captivity. Moses made it clear that he didn’t feel qualified to go. He had a conversation with God that I’m sure we’ve all had at some point in our lives, minus the burning bush. Who am I, God? No one is going to listen to what I have to say. Are you sure you have the right person?
Then God proceeded to make a very profound point.
Exodus 4:2, “And the Lord said to him, “What is that in your hand?” And he [Moses] said, “A staff.””
Moses didn’t have much to offer, but he had something… He had a staff.
God didn’t care about all of the excuses Moses had. He didn’t care about what Moses didn’t have. God simply wanted Moses to trust that He would use what little Moses had to offer.
In our eyes, a staff seems so insignificant, but to God, it was perfect! It was all He needed!
David was compelled to go and fight Goliath. He couldn’t stand idly by while an enemy mocked His God. David was MUCH braver than I would have been. He knew he was unqualified and only had a sling to offer, and yet he boldly went out to meet Goliath on the battlefield.
What is a youth with a sling against a giant with a sword and spear?
It was the perfect scenario for God to show off His power!
David recognized what he had to offer wasn’t much, which is why he tried on Saul’s armor. As a matter of fact, David didn’t even mention the sling to Goliath. Instead, David pointed out that while Goliath was trusting in his own abilities and what he had in his hands, a sword and spear, David was trusting in the name of the Lord. David gave God what he had, even though it seemed like so little, and God used it for His glory.
If David had used a sword, we wouldn’t walk about it much. But because God used something so small to do something so amazing, it’s a story every Sunday School child knows.
Being inadequate is never the problem. The problem is our lack of faith in what God can do through our inadequacies.
Like Moses and David, God often calls us to do things that we feel completely unqualified to do. But these stories remind us that God doesn’t expect us to perform the miracle, that’s up to Him. All He wants is for us to be willing to give Him everything we have and let Him worry about the rest.
In our weakness, His strength is made perfect. (2 Corinthians 12:9)
So, if you only have a staff or a sling? Then trust that God will use it!
Not long after we started having services, God used a lady attending our church to remind me that He can work with what I have, no matter how big or small. This lady, who was probably 25-30 years older than me, told me that I was a great pastor’s wife because I was so genuine.
That may seem like such a small thing, but it’s something I can bring to God and let Him use. I may feel like I fall short in other areas, but I can be genuine. And best of all, God can use that! He actually called me to Seattle to be genuine! He knew just what I had to offer and He chose me for a specific purpose with that in mind.
What do you have to offer Him?
God is calling all of us to do something in His kingdom. More often than not, we will face feelings of inadequacy and think we don’t have anything worth using.
God sees things differently!
He is calling you with what you have for His purpose!
Don’t compare yourself to others or focus on what you’re lacking. Willingly step out in faith and give God what you have and see what He can do with it.
I guarantee you’ll be surprised!
When it’s all said in done, you’ll be able to step back and say, “look what the Lord has done!”