I was a young 25 year old, single mother of a sweet baby girl. At the time, I was suffering from depression and found it difficult to accept life as it was. A new non-profit that provided resources for women who were in need of a second chance at life was having a grand opening. Someone thought it was a good idea to include me in on a small singing group that would provide the entertainment for their gala. I remember thinking during the rehearsals, “I’m a woman in need of a second chance! What am I doing singing for their fundraiser?”
A couple years passed, and I found myself leading a small group for at-risk teen girls. Again, I wasn’t the happiest of campers, and wasn’t quiet about it either. This was a time in my life that I couldn’t even smile through tears and I was still blue. Yet I found myself thinking, “Why am I the one leading these girls? I’m a mess myself.”
More time passes, and I get a call that would change my life. It was Trish asking me if I’d be interested in being involved in a women’s ministry that encouraged women in their walk with Christ. You guessed it, I was shocked again that I would be considered for such a special team. I didn’t feel particularly encouraged at the time, and yet I still got the call.
Now that I’m older and can look back at my blue times one thing is clear, God knows what I don’t. He sees what I cannot see, and He will do in me what I cannot do by and for myself. He knows me better that I know myself. He knows just how deep my heart was aching during those dark times. He knew just how much I could take. He knew I would doubt myself through my cloudy years, yet He saw something more in me than my pain.
If you’ve found yourself in positions you feel underqualified for take heart, you’re not alone. Ask Mary, who was young, unwed, and pregnant with the Son of God. If you could ask her if she thought she was the woman for the job she’d probably tell you that she didn’t see it at the time. Are you feeling too old to answer God’s call? Ask a childless Abraham who was in his seventies when God promised him that he would be the father of many nations. You may not see what God sees, but in time He will reveal His plan if you continue to walk by faith and not by sight.
“Trust God from the bottom of your heart;
don’t try to figure out everything on your own.
Listen for God’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go;
he’s the one who will keep you on track.
Don’t assume that you know it all.”
Proverbs 3:5-6 The Message (MSG)
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