Feeling UNqualified?
Last night, I had the opportunity to speak with a young mom. We’ve never met and were introduced via email because she is new to fighting human trafficking, and I’ve been involved in abolition for a few years. We were kindred spirits in many ways, and I felt honored to be able to share some of my experiences and resources with her.
I sometimes feel like the new kid on the block with my fellow abolitionists, many who are professionals in the field, unlike volunteers like myself. But while I am not an expert, I have come a long way from when I started. And I realized, we don’t need to be experts to mentor others. We just need to be willing to share what we have learned. I often say, “I’m just one beggar showing another beggar where the bread is.”
Paul instructed Titus to instruct the older men and women and encourage them to mentor younger ones.
In his letter to the Corinthians, Paul said, “For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you…” (1 Cor. 11:23) In this verse, Paul was referring to the Lord’s supper, but I think we can apply this to all his teachings. He repeated this a few chapters later, “For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance…” (1 Cor. 15:3)
Paul considered himself the least likely person to be sharing this wisdom: “For I am the least of the apostles and do not even deserve to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect.” (1 Cor. 15:9-10)
What if Paul said, “I’m not good enough. Those other guys walked with Jesus. They know more than me. I’ll just keep quiet.” Instead, as Paul heard from God, he passed along that wisdom in person and in his letters.
And we can apply that example to ourselves – We are to pass on what we have received from the Lord. We don’t need special qualifications. We may be the least likely. We may be the foolish one who confounds the wise. But if we have received from the Lord, we have an obligation to share it. We don’t need to be experts to mentor others. We just need to be willing to share, to come alongside others, to be able to say “I know how you feel.” without being a know-it-all, to show empathy. We need to be Titus 2 women no matter our age.
Is there someone hungry for what you have to share? Share your bread!
Fabulous message, Susan. You are right; we may not be theologians, however God will equip us with the words to speak to share what He has done in our lives.
Often times I feel under qualified but when God lays something on my heart, I must obey and He gives me the words and courage. I had this very opportunity yesterday to speak some encouragement into a young lady that God laid on my heart. Obedience is what Paul also experienced. Good message today Susan!
I’m learning to listen for direction,but when I don’t hear, I try to do something to make a start. Often when I get started, a new course of action arises.