Qualified
Right now, I don’t feel qualified
Qualified to write, yes
But unqualified for the place
You seem to be leading me
Out of my comfort zone
I sense a calling on my life
A calling out of solitary ways
A possibly public calling
One I’m not equipped for
Where You need to show up
It’s been said: God doesn’t call the qualified
He qualifies the called
He uses ordinary people, broken people
People just like me
And people just like you
I have to remind myself - you, too?
Moses felt inadequate
Gideon felt inadequate
Peter – brash as he was – felt inadequate
And God still used them, mightily
God invites us into His work
We can say no, resist, run away like Jonah
But I’d rather not find myself in the sea
Or in the belly of the whale
Better to say yes and trust
Trust God to show up
Trust God to equip
Trust God to qualify
To lead by a cloud or pillar of fire
To give me a voice and courage
Trust that God has a plan
That God has a purpose
That He is sovereign and good
That He will make me useful
And use me
Thank You, God, for Your wisdom
For Your Word and Your words
Thank You for ability as I yield myself to You
And that You qualify
Those whom You call
Where You lead, let me follow
c. Susan Barclay, 2024
This is wonderful, dear Susan. I suspect I'm not the only writer who needed to read this today. Thank you & blessings.
ReplyDeleteAs is often the case, this was Holy Spirit-led. Thank you, Wendy!
DeleteGood thoughts!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Pam!
DeleteHi Susan! Your poem gave me cause to pause. I am happy you are a friend of poetry. I love the following verse:
ReplyDeleteTrust God to show up
Trust God to equip
Trust God to qualify
To lead by a cloud or pillar of fire.
To give me a voice and courage
I'm happy you're a friend of poetry, too, Alan! You always encourage me with your kind feedback :)
DeleteThanks for this awesome poem and the deep thoughts within.
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome, Tracy!
DeleteYes! Amen! You express a vital truth so clearly and engagingly. I needed this reminder today. Thank you. Blessings.
ReplyDeleteI'm happy this spoke to you, Michelle. Thank you for reading!
DeleteLovely poem, Susan! This stanza was particularly meaningful to me:
ReplyDeleteThank You, God, for Your wisdom
For Your Word and Your words
Thank You for ability as I yield myself to You
And that You qualify
Those whom You call
Blessings, Sandi, and thank you!
DeleteHi Susan. May you be blessed and encouraged as God leads you beyond your comfort zone. May your nervous excitement be transformed into ‘Godfident’ peace as you move forward. What a wonderful post!
ReplyDeleteThank you for your encouragement and blessing, Sharon. I like that word 'Godfident'! It's not one I've heard before!!
DeleteYou've fashioned something quite lovely from the quirky letter "Q". Thank you, Susan.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Brenda :)
DeleteLove your poetry, Susan. A welcome change of prose and a point well made - "better to say Yes and trust."
ReplyDelete