• But I Have No Idea What I'm Doing

    By: Kristen L. McNulty

    Reprint rights available on request. Email the author at kristenmcnulty@hotmail.com.

    Over and over in my own life when I feel God leading me to a position or a situation I have found myself saying “but I have no idea what I'm doing.” When I got asked to lead a Bible study, my first response was but I have no idea what I'm doing.

    When I got asked to speak at a conference, I said it yet again.

    Then you bet I said it when as a high school student I felt the call to start this radio show. Did I ever say it then! I was extremely shy and probably the least qualified person around to do it. 

    But what I've learned along the way is that when God calls us to something we feel unqualified for or in over our heads, that doesn't mean we say no. It does mean that we should still follow where He says to go.

    God Has A Different Way Of Viewing Qualifications


    God doesn't look at qualifications in the same way we do. Remember David? He seemed so insignificant that he wasn't even invited along to go meet the prophet with his father and other brothers. What about Gideon? When we encounter him in Judges chapter 6, Gideon was told by an angel that he was being sent to rescue Israel from the Midianites. Gideon's reply?

    "'But Lord,' Gideon replied, 'how can I rescue Israel? My clan is the weakest in the whole tribe of Manasseh, and I am the least in my entire family!'" Judges 6:15


    The angels reply?

    "The Lord said to him, 'I will be with you. And you will destroy the Midianites as if you were fighting against one man.' Judges 6:16


    The reply given to Gideon when he felt inadequate should comfort and encourage us when we feel like God should have chosen someone else for the job. God doesn't look for education, experience and connections like the world does. No he uses imperfect, often unqualified, people to build the Kingdom here on earth and it's all possible because He goes with us.

    The Same God


    The same God who chose fishermen instead of priests as apostles and the same God who sent His Son to be born in the world by an unwed mother can use you and I to do things we feel unprepared for and missions we would have never chosen for ourselves. God's economy for ministry is something like His calling plus our willingness plus how He goes with us equals job done.

    "Remember, dear brothers and sisters, that few of you were wise in the world's eyes or powerful or wealthy when God called you. Instead, God chose things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise. And he chose things that are powerless to shame those who are powerful. God chose things despised by the world, things counted as nothing at all, and used them to bring to nothing what the world considers important. As a result, no one can ever boast in the presence of God." 1 Corinthians 1:26-29


    Look Up, Not Inward


    So the next time you feel God is calling you to do something, instead of looking inward and saying "but I have no idea what I'm doing" look upward and say yes.

    Remember that we are in good company when we do so. Moses served as God's messenger when he struggled with speaking. Jonah brought forth a courageous message after just running away from his calling. Peter went on to preach the name of the very One he denied. When we step out in faith and follow where He leads, we will find as they did, that God meets us where He calls us and goes with us every step of the way.

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