I wonder how many times we don’t do something, just because we feel we’re unqualified…
The other night, we listened to a podcast on Dale Partridges‘ website. His guest, Steven Furtick, wrote a book called “(Un)Qualified“, and that was the topic of the discussion. (https://startupcamp.com/podcast/overcoming-doubt-finding-calling-steven-furtick)
It made me realize that sometimes, it’s actually better to be unqualified. Don’t get me wrong, I know that we need the intellectuals, the academics, but that’s not the only way, there’s a place for “unqualified” people too, and I enjoy being one of them.
Sometimes, qualifications take something very special away from us. Having too much knowledge about something can steal our joy, our courage, our curiosity, our humbleness and our childlike faith.
I was (and probably still am) unqualified in many areas of life.
When I think about my career, I’m glad that I wasn’t qualified on how to run a business when I first started my business at the age of 23. If I knew more about it, about the responsibility, the risks, everything that actually “needs” to be in place, I would’ve been too scared to start in the first place!
When our first baby was born with a severe disability, I wasn’t qualified on her condition – or for that matter on raising a baby at all (just like everyone else!). And I’m so glad that I didn’t know everything about her condition from the start. It would’ve overwhelmed me at that stage, but learning along the way – bit by bit – was manageable, still is. And I have time to enjoy the journey instead of worrying too much about possible complications and things that might not even happen. I learnt from experienced mothers instead of handbooks or doctors and professors. So all the unnecessary information was filtered out and I only had to learn what I really needed to know.
This morning we took Anika to visit her new school… she needs to start Grade 1 there next year. When the principal said “We don’t know how to handle her condition, but you can teach us how, we will learn along the way”, I immediately thought about the podcast we listened to on Dales’ website. She also told us how she wasn’t prepared for a “prem” baby when her daughter was born at 7 months, but she thinks it’s better not to know, then you can depend on God to teach you how to cope and show you the way!
I’m still not sure exactly how, and I don’t think it will be a professional career, but I think I’m stepping into ministry in some or other way, and again, I’m glad that I’m not qualified. In my relationship and journey with God, I can get closer to Him and into His presence without qualifications. Too much theological theory and knowledge might rob me from childlike faith, from hearing directly from God. One of my dear friends shared with me the other day about 7 pathways to God, how different people experience God in different ways. For some, it’s through an intellectual pathway, and for others not. (https://northpointministries.org/misc/sacredpathway.html)
For me, my Bible will be my handbook and the Holy Spirit will be my guide.
So next time you feel “unqualified” to do something, step onto the water and keep your eyes on God… He will teach you!
