
Is Anyone Really Qualified?
[Definition] Qualified: officially recognized as being trained to perform a particular job.
In a world where we have an abundance of information, training, education and resources it seems as if it would be an easy task to quickly become qualified and prepared for jobs, work, business or even life events.
Some people may have a high level of confidence that they are always prepared and ready for whatever life may bring their way.
Unfortunately, if we are honest with ourselves it is a rare time when we have the belief and confidence that we are totally prepared for new adventures that will test and stretch us. And there are times in life where we just question whether or not we are qualified for the next step in our journey.
Everyone has a situation, work event or a life event that seems to remind us that it is impossible to train and be qualified for everything that life has to offer.
We use the word "qualified" as if it is definitive and final. But are any of us really qualified? The more important question may be "does it matter if someone is qualified?"
Of course we want our doctor to have a medical degree. It is important for the nurse to have certifications. The engineer should be licensed.
But even in those industries that require certification and degrees, more is required to succeed than what can be taught in a school or approved by a certification board.
There is usually something deep inside that is pulled out of a willing individual that propels them to perform above any of their training or qualifications or background. Or more likely there is a a guiding hand or presence from above.
I was inspired to write this article after reading one of my morning devotions from Joseph Prince, a minister based in Singapore. In that devotion, Prince discussed 4 women in the Old Testament and how they would never have been considered qualified for their unique positions in history.
Whether or not you believe that Jesus was a Savior and the Messiah, you cannot deny his significance in history. These 4 women are listed in the most read book in the world - the Bible - and they are in the genealogy of Jesus.
They are Tamar, Rahab, Ruth and Bathsheba, women who had morally questionable backgrounds and were unqualified by most people's standards.
Below are a few excerpts from Prince's devotion:
"Tamar resorted to deception and prostitution to produce children through her father-in-law. Yet, it was from her line, the tribe of Judah, that the Messiah came. (Genesis 38) Rahab was a Gentile and a prostitute in Jericho, who became a believer in the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. (Joshua 2:1–21) She also became the mother of Boaz, who married Ruth. (Ruth 4:13)
Ruth was morally upright. But as a Moabitess, she was a Gentile and therefore considered unclean. Yet, she became the grandmother of David (Ruth 4:13–17), whom the Jews regard as their greatest king. Bathsheba committed adultery with David. (2 Samuel 11:4) Later, she gave birth to King Solomon (2 Samuel 12:24), from whose royal line Jesus descended."
There are many lessons that we can gather from these examples.
Even if it appears that you are unqualified, you were created to have an impact on the world around you.
Don't look at a situation short-term. You may have a significant place in history that will not be known for years...maybe even many years from now.
It may seem that you have really messed up, but you can be redeemed and things can work out better than you ever imagined.
Your assignment and being equipped for your assignment is more important than your qualifications.
We should position ourselves to be equipped instead of laboring to be qualified.
[Definition] Equipped: supply with the necessary items for a particular purpose or prepare (someone) mentally for a particular situation or task.
It could be that even when we feel unqualified, we are actually supernaturally equipped to perform the task or assignment that we has been given to us.
Let's just choose to relax and seek our divine assignment. And then we can expect to receive the equipping to complete the job.
[Definition] Qualified: officially recognized as being trained to perform a particular job.
In a world where we have an abundance of information, training, education and resources it seems as if it would be an easy task to quickly become qualified and prepared for jobs, work, business or even life events.
Some people may have a high level of confidence that they are always prepared and ready for whatever life may bring their way.
Unfortunately, if we are honest with ourselves it is a rare time when we have the belief and confidence that we are totally prepared for new adventures that will test and stretch us. And there are times in life where we just question whether or not we are qualified for the next step in our journey.
Everyone has a situation, work event or a life event that seems to remind us that it is impossible to train and be qualified for everything that life has to offer.
- You have just been promoted
- You have a great idea and you are excited about starting a new business
- You have your degree and you have just been hired by a large corporation
- You just landed your biggest client to date. They will be paying you more money this year than you made in the last 4 years combined.
- You have owned a construction business all your life, but the business no longer exists and you have just accepted an entry level position at Home Depot
- You are a college dropout but you now run a multi billion dollar corporation
- You have just been asked to serve as a board member for your church
- You have been asked to speak at the funeral of a friend or business associate
- You just got engaged
- You or your wife are expecting your first child
- You are on a plane traveling home 72 hours after meeting your adopted child for the first time
- You have been approved for the loan and you now own a home
- You have just been accepted into Bible College...at the age of 51
We use the word "qualified" as if it is definitive and final. But are any of us really qualified? The more important question may be "does it matter if someone is qualified?"
Of course we want our doctor to have a medical degree. It is important for the nurse to have certifications. The engineer should be licensed.
But even in those industries that require certification and degrees, more is required to succeed than what can be taught in a school or approved by a certification board.
There is usually something deep inside that is pulled out of a willing individual that propels them to perform above any of their training or qualifications or background. Or more likely there is a a guiding hand or presence from above.
I was inspired to write this article after reading one of my morning devotions from Joseph Prince, a minister based in Singapore. In that devotion, Prince discussed 4 women in the Old Testament and how they would never have been considered qualified for their unique positions in history.
Whether or not you believe that Jesus was a Savior and the Messiah, you cannot deny his significance in history. These 4 women are listed in the most read book in the world - the Bible - and they are in the genealogy of Jesus.
They are Tamar, Rahab, Ruth and Bathsheba, women who had morally questionable backgrounds and were unqualified by most people's standards.
Below are a few excerpts from Prince's devotion:
"Tamar resorted to deception and prostitution to produce children through her father-in-law. Yet, it was from her line, the tribe of Judah, that the Messiah came. (Genesis 38) Rahab was a Gentile and a prostitute in Jericho, who became a believer in the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. (Joshua 2:1–21) She also became the mother of Boaz, who married Ruth. (Ruth 4:13)
Ruth was morally upright. But as a Moabitess, she was a Gentile and therefore considered unclean. Yet, she became the grandmother of David (Ruth 4:13–17), whom the Jews regard as their greatest king. Bathsheba committed adultery with David. (2 Samuel 11:4) Later, she gave birth to King Solomon (2 Samuel 12:24), from whose royal line Jesus descended."
There are many lessons that we can gather from these examples.
Even if it appears that you are unqualified, you were created to have an impact on the world around you.
Don't look at a situation short-term. You may have a significant place in history that will not be known for years...maybe even many years from now.
It may seem that you have really messed up, but you can be redeemed and things can work out better than you ever imagined.
Your assignment and being equipped for your assignment is more important than your qualifications.
We should position ourselves to be equipped instead of laboring to be qualified.
[Definition] Equipped: supply with the necessary items for a particular purpose or prepare (someone) mentally for a particular situation or task.
It could be that even when we feel unqualified, we are actually supernaturally equipped to perform the task or assignment that we has been given to us.
Let's just choose to relax and seek our divine assignment. And then we can expect to receive the equipping to complete the job.

Tim Winders has over 25 years experience as a business owner, entrepreneur, coach and consultant. He specializes in helping businesses, organizations and individuals grow and expand. If it is time for you or your business to get unstuck and experience increase, CLICK HERE to schedule a FREE Growth Assessment and Strategy Call with Tim.