Have you ever had someone you look up to tell you that you can't do something just because they didn't think you would be good at it? Have you ever been passionate and excited about something and someone makes a small remark that ruins the whole thing? I know I have, and it sucks. It's one of the worst feelings when you're to the point of believing you are not good enough or qualified enough. However, the amount of education you have does not determine whether you're "qualified" to do the Lord's work. God doesn't look down on the people of this earth and say "Oh, that man has the credentials to become a pastor" or "Nope, She can't be a prophetess because she has never taken a class on what prophecy actually is." Getting deep into the word, and listening to what God tells you, are two far more impressive skills than whether college level courses you have taken. He doesn't call the qualified, He qualifies the called. God is the teacher.

"Moreover whom he did predestinate, them He also called: and whom He called, them He also justified: and whom He justified, them He also glorified." - Romans 8:30 KJV

God uses broken people to do great things. Just because you feel broken does not mean you can't do the Lord's work. I was broken before, or at least I thought I was. God showed me that with Him by my side, nothing can tear me down. You feel broken inside, but God is working away at your spirit pulling and holding you together. We live in a society that tells that the answer to our failures is to fix them or to hide them. Your failures make you who you are. Without failure, there is no testimony.

YOUR CALLING

I am a strong believer in purpose, for we all have one. I find it very hard to believe that the Lord would take a life before it's purpose was fully and completely fulfilled. Whether it's to be the shoulder to cry on for a friend or to spread the Gospel, we all have one. Maybe something deep inside of you is pushing you towards going into some type of ministry, but you don't know exactly what to do -- Pray about it. And Pray hard. Don't let the voices inside your head tell you that you aren't qualified enough. I never thought a calling of mine would be through music. I mean, I knew I loved to sing and that music was a huge part of my life, but it wasn't until my preacher playfully made me go on the stage at church and sing a song that I realized how incredible of a feeling it is to sing for the Lord. I was absolutely petrified, but I gave way to the Holy Spirit and let God move. I don't sing like Britt Nicole, and I have never taken a class on music or vocal ranges. I would not have assumed myself to be "qualified," but God qualified me when He chose me to spread His gospel through song. ou can do things for God also. The small things can make a big difference.STANDING STRONG

Regardless of whether you believe you have a calling or not, you absolutely do. ALL of us have the job of spreading God's word. We are to be fishers of men. God knows what we are going to do with our lives before we are even born. He knows what your calling is and how you will get to that point. You just need to stop listening to the things and people around you and start opening your heart up for the Lord to work his magic. There will be days where you feel like the whole world is coming against you. But with God by your side, you can do the impossible. If Jesus Christ can simply speak be still and the winds all fall at His feet, He can calm the storm in your life. You are a child of God and you can be the difference in someone's life. Be the person that people can look at and know that you have Jesus oozing out of you. Be the one who would rather read your Bible than go out to the movies. Don't let other people hinder your obligations to God. You may not physically see God or Jesus in their physical forms, but you can see what He does in your life.

"Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed." - John 20:29 KJV

Sometimes through the storm, all you feel is like Jesus is letting you down. You can't understand why things are going on or why God would put you through a specific situation. The Lord would never put you through anything you couldn't handle. He will carry you through. I have learned that questioning God won't get you an answer you were expecting. Just stand back, stand strong, and let God do what He has to do in your life. Whatever it is that God calls you to be, you will know what you need to know. You will be an expert because it will be anointed by God. You have a purpose. He may not come when you want him, but He will be there right on time because He is an on time God. He's just waiting for the perfect moment to get you started. All of the mistakes, heart break, prayers, they are all building up to the calling God has on your life. God says you are qualified!