I'm Not Qualified

Mark 1:16-20 - As He was going along by the Sea of Galilee, He saw Simon and Andrew, the brother of Simon, casting a net in the sea; for they were fishermen. And Jesus said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you become fishers of men.” Immediately they left their nets and followed Him. Going on a little farther, He saw James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, who were also in the boat mending the nets. Immediately He called them; and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants, and went away to follow Him.

Thoughts: As I grow in my faith and move closer to Jesus, I feel called to be more active in my faith. My growing faith demands action. I can no longer sit on the sidelines. True faith must be lived. This yearning, a gift from God, is good but can have a number of effects. I think I have had most of them. 

As you start saying yes to the Holy Spirit and start putting your faith into action, people will give you lots of opportunities to 'act'. All of these things sound noble and good so we say yes to everything often without discerning what God's desire is. Then we can become overwhelmed with having so many activities for God. Not necessarily good, so we need to pray and discern where God is calling us to serve. 

Another common phenomenon is the feeling of unworthiness. You may be asked to do something and think there is no way I am not qualified. Through my discernment to apply for the dianocate this comes up often. Especially when I go to class and sit with a lot of really smart people. People who have obviously been studying their faith for years. They know the teachings of the church, they seem very well read. I feel so unworthy and fully expect them to ask me to leave because I don't measure up. 

Then I am reminded in today's reading. Jesus did not call the qualified, he qualified the called. He called fisherman. What did they know about anything? What made them so special? Nothing except that God called them and they for their part listened and responded. We all need to listen for the voice of Jesus in our lives and respond with an unreserved yes.

I sat in a meeting at church yesterday and as we went around the room and listened to everyone share about how they were feeling. The same theme come up over and over again. I am not worthy. I am not qualified. Why me? But, we are all challenged to answer the call.

I pray that everyone today will listen to the still soft voice of the Lord calling us to something greater than ourselves.