What challenge lies before you? Are you truly qualified to face it, to excel, and to succeed?
Each of us is tackling goals, overcoming obstacles, and perhaps battling personal struggles or addictions this year. So, how’s it going for you?
What does it take to be qualified?
Is it confidence? Determination? Intelligence and skill? Or is it a deep, unshakable disturbance—a refusal to settle for less? What truly equips someone to achieve great things, especially the hard ones?
There’s a saying: “Hard times create strong men, strong men create good times, good times create weak men, and weak men create hard times.”
There’s truth in this saying, but is qualification simply about being a “strong man” or woman?
Take a moment to consider the story of Joseph, son of Israel (formerly Jacob). It’s a story of struggle, resilience, and divine purpose.
Joseph was his father’s favorite among 11 brothers—a love that bred jealousy and hatred. His brothers threw him into a pit, sold him into slavery, and walked away. From there, Joseph’s life seemed to spiral further: framed for a crime he didn’t commit, imprisoned for years, and seemingly forgotten.
Yet, God gave Joseph a gift—the ability to interpret dreams—and this very gift became the key to his freedom.
Joseph interpreted the King of Egypt’s dreams, foreseeing a devastating famine. His insight and wisdom not only saved Egypt but positioned him as the King’s right hand.
Pharaoh’s words sum it up perfectly: “Can we find a better man than Joseph to take this job? God’s Spirit is truly in him!” (Genesis 41:38, NCV).
What qualified Joseph? His upbringing, his charm, or even his hardships may have contributed, however the real qualification was God’s Spirit within him.
The truth is, our qualifications often feel messy.
Boundaries blur, motivations waver, and we sometimes justify actions that don’t align with God’s plan. We can even misuse the talents God has given us. But when we lean into His strength, wisdom, and guidance, extraordinary things happen.
You’ve likely heard, “God uses the ordinary to do the extraordinary.”
Paul reminds us of this in 1 Corinthians 1:27 (NCV): “But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and he chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong.”
Even Jesus, the Son of God, didn’t come with fanfare or worldly beauty.
Isaiah described Him this way: “He grew up like a small plant before the Lord, like a root growing in a dry land. He had no special beauty or form to make us notice him; there was nothing in his appearance to make us desire him.” (Isaiah 53:2, NCV).
At the core, the greatest qualification is this: a love for God and a love for people. Jesus emphasized these as the two greatest commandments (Mark 12:30-31).
Everything we do should pass through this filter of love - love for God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, and love for others as ourselves.
So, whatever you need to do - whatever you’re in the middle of—ask yourself this:
• Does it exemplify your love for God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength?
• Does it align with God’s commands and ways?
• Does it show love for others as much as you love yourself?
It sounds simple, but it’s not always easy. Why? Because at our core, we are selfish sinners, often looking out for ourselves first.
Lord, help us. Help us love You with all that we are. Help us love others as we love ourselves. Teach us to align our actions, decisions, and motivations with Your commands and Your ways. May everything we do reflect Your love and devotion. Please use us, even in our weaknesses, to reveal Your extraordinary power. IJNIP ♥️
Comments