Unqualified

As I prepare for Shine in January, I've been reading a devotional on conquering fear. God has been preparing my heart and mind for what's to come and equipping me for any challenges that may spring up, seen or unforeseen. One of the fears that have been springing up lately is feeling unqualified to be a performer. Like Moses, I want to say things to God like, "But I'm stage fright! I don't have a strong voice! I never took guitar lessons! There are so many others more qualified than me!" And so on and so on... But God is still sending me out there to do His work. He is the one that placed the call on my heart to write songs and perform them. So do I cower out of fear like I've done for the past decade? Or do I obey His call and step out in obedience?

Moses said to the Lord, “Pardon your servant, Lord. I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since you have spoken to your servant. I am slow of speech and tongue.”  The Lord said to him, “Who gave human beings their mouths? Who makes them deaf or mute? Who gives them sight or makes them blind? Is it not I, the Lord? Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say.”  (Exodus 4:10-12)

God says "Go" and that He will give me the words to speak (or to sing, in my case). He will give me the performance I need. He is bringing me to Shine for His purposes, and He is the one who qualifies me.

Then Joseph said to his brothers, “Come close to me.” When they had done so, he said, “I am your brother Joseph, the one you sold into Egypt! And now, do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you. For two years now there has been famine in the land, and for the next five years there will be no plowing and reaping. But God sent me ahead of you to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance. "So then, it was not you who sent me here, but God. He made me father to Pharaoh, lord of his entire household and ruler of all Egypt."  (Genesis 45:4-8)

As I read these words from the story of Joseph, I am reminded that I am being sent to Shine on God's errand, not my own. I may have my own goals for what I want to happen at Shine, but those pale in comparison to what God has divinely in store. It may not turn out how I hope and dream, but God is in full control of this situation. I only need to look back at my Reflections on 2013 to see how God has brought me to this point in the first place. It came through:

• rejections
• disappointments
• prayer
• coincidence
• an open eye
• accepting His plan
• moving forward with faith

From this moment forth, I have to entrust my future in His hands. I have to entrust the results at Shine in His hands. Even if it means further rejections and disappointments. Because if there's anything I've learned, it's that all of the above bullet points lead to His good and perfect plan, which is always far better than our own, even if it doesn't make sense.

Trust in the LORD with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight. (Proverbs 3:5-6)

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28)

Lord, help us to see things from Your perspective. Give us eyes of faith to trust You and draw near to You even when Your plan doesn't make sense. Thank You for qualifying us for Your purposes.