Have you ever gone for a job interview and the interviewer asks you, “What qualifies you for this position?”
And we’re armed and ready with our lists, aren’t we? Well, if we want the job we are. We have our education history. Our job history. A long list of strengths and (hopefully) a short list of growth areas. We share our experience and talk confidently of why they want to hire us.
“I’m the one you want. I can do this. Hire me.”
This self-reliance is a far cry from what Moses was feeling during his meeting with his employer-to-be.
Moses saw a bush on fire in the desert that wasn’t burning up. It was like nothing he’d ever seen before, and he went over to check it out. He had no idea God was about to rock his world, but God spoke to him from the fire.
“I’ve come to rescue my people from Egypt, and you’re going to lead the charge.”
I can see why God would have chosen him. Moses had quite the resume. He was a Hebrew who was raised in Pharaoh’s palace. He knew all the ins and outs of what it was like to be Egyptian. He knew how Pharaoh thought and acted and responded to things. He had knowledge of their systems and procedures.
He had some qualifications, but Moses wasn’t oozing self-confidence. It was more like self-doubt.
When God gave him his job description, Moses didn’t jump up and down and say, “Finally! It’s about time I get to do something for God! Promotion! I’ve been waiting for this day all my life!”
No. He protested. That’s what the Bible says. “But Moses protested.”
He objected. He said, “No way, Jose. You’ve got the wrong guy!”
Have you ever been there? Objecting to what God asked you to do? I sure have.
“Who am I to stand before Pharaoh? Who am I to lead the people of Israel out of Egypt?”
It sounds humble and all, but Moses was really just scared to death.
“Who am I?” Hello self-doubt.
I love how God responded. He didn’t remind him of his resume. Of all his qualifications and accomplishments. Of his rich history and knowledge of the inner workings of Egypt.
“I will be with you. All you need to know is I will be with you.”
I. Will. Be. With. You.
Do you look at your dream and think, “Who am I?” Do you look at your calling and think, “What are you thinking, God? I can’t do this! There’s got to be someone better and more qualified than me?”
If you do, you’re in good company. Self-doubt has been around throughout the ages. Moses had it. Joshua had it. David had it. Paul had it.
Even John the Baptist had it. When Jesus came to be baptized by him, the Bible says, “John tried to talk Him out of it.”
If you’re doubting yourself, there’s only one cure, and it’s not hearing how wonderful or equipped you are. If we had it all together, we wouldn’t need Him to accomplish it, would we?
Don’t let self-doubt talk you into quitting!
It’s really not about us. It’s the God inside who’s going to do it through us; all he needs is a willing participant. We can doubt ourselves all day long, but we need to come back to Him.
Self-doubt. It can sound so convincing and at times it screams louder in our heads than His whisper in our souls, “I will be with you.”
That’s when we need to batten down the hatches and trust. That’s when we put our faith above our feelings and keep moving forward.
He will be with you. He will be with me. It doesn’t matter how we feel. It doesn’t matter if we’re qualified or not.
If God is for us, if God is WITH us, we cannot fail!