We live in a time of specialization and professionalization. When something is wrong or when you are sick you often don’t just go to a general doctor, instead you visit a specialist in the area of your infirmity. There are financial professionals to coach us with our money and health professionals to get us into shape. We are so accustomed to requiring professional opinions regarding the issues in our life that we can often feel disqualified to speak to any issue. God is not opposed to education. However, He does not require professional training to perform his purpose in you.

Amos 7:12 Then Amaziah sent orders to Amos: “Get out of here, you prophet! Go on back to the land of Judah, and earn your living by prophesying there! 13 Don’t bother us with your prophecies here in Bethel. This is the king’s sanctuary and the national place of worship!” 14 But Amos replied, “I’m not a professional prophet, and I was never trained to be one. I’m just a shepherd, and I take care of sycamore-fig trees. 15 But the Lord called me away from my flock and told me, ‘Go and prophesy to my people in Israel.’

Know who you are trying to please. You do not serve, lead, preach, teach, witness or love people based on their response to your message. Don’t get me wrong, we should do our best in presenting Christ to people to lead them into a positive response. However, your ministry is based on what God has called you to do. Ministry is not an endeavor to please everyone. The purpose of ministry is to please the fFather.

God equips those hHe calls. God does not call us on the basis of our education, our experience or even our aptitude. God imparts the needed knowledge, ability and strength to our lives at the time we need it to accomplish His mission. What you have not done in the past does not limit what God can do in your future.

Know why you serve. Amaos had a clear understanding that God had called him out of his own expertise to share the Word of God. God has a track record of using unqualified people to do His work. 1 Corinthians 1:26 “Remember, dear brothers and sisters, that few of you were wise in the world’s eyes or powerful or wealthy when God called you. 27 Instead, God chose things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise. And he chose things that are powerless to shame those who are powerful.”

Today’s Challenge: Don’t allow people’s rejection of you convince you that you are missing the mark in what God has called you to do. What you consider your weakness may the opportunity for God’s strength to shine through you. You do not have to be a professional in order for God to do great things through you.