“Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled. And they realized that they had been with Jesus”
Acts 4:13
I dropped out of college with only a year left to go and for decades I was plagued by the shame of failure.
No Bachelor of Science title, no diploma to frame and hang.
In my own mind I was simply unqualified.
God doesn’t call the qualified, He qualifies the called.
It’s almost a cliche, but have you really considered the deeper meaning and implications?
When Yeshua was gathering His disciples, He didn’t go to the Temple,”Pharisee Central”,
to seek out men of position and training, didn’t ask for resumes and references;
Jesus looked into the hearts of men. He wasn’t interested in the “natural” abilities of people.
No “qualifiers.” No pride. No spiritual arrogance.
Just weakness and a willingness to follow the Messiah.
These were the called.
This morning as part of my devotional time, I listened to a powerful message from Pastor Kris Valloton: “Peter’s Story and Your Destiny”
In this message Kris talks about a university that planned on bestowing a Ph.D on him, and he was going to use the manuscript of a book he was
about to publish for his thesis. The university helped him, providing all the resources needed to make this title happen. That was just one issue-
God never instructed him to get the Ph.D title, Kris never sought God regarding this. This Lord told him that he was NOT to seek after, not
to acquire the title as it would be a hindrance not a help. Everything Kris needed was not provided through diplomas, certifications, titles.
His abilities-and ours- are found in each of our own weaknesses, not in so-called strengths or “qualifications” coming from
Ph.D.s or other other titles.
“His power is perfected in my weakness.”
If your name is preceded and/or followed by titles of qualification, congratulations!
Just remember to keep your perspectives straight, do not allow these titles to become idols;
the examples that are highlighted repeatedly in God’s Word (i.e.: Abraham, Moses, Gideon, Samuel, the disciples), show us a simple (if not convoluted) truth.
“And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.”
Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake.
For when I am weak, then I am strong.” 2 Corinthians 12:9-11