God Does Not Need Your Résumé

The question may not be whether we’re qualified, but whether we’re willing to trust God with the next step

#MindsetMonday • 9:30 a.m. Sept. 28, 2026

Have you ever felt called, pulled, or driven toward something and immediately started mentally listing all the reasons you weren’t qualified to do it?

I have. I still do.

“I don’t have the training.” “I don’t know enough.” “I’ve never done this before.” “There are people far more qualified than me.”

If you’re like me, you’ve probably mistaken feeling unqualified for evidence that you weren’t called – or, worse yet, that you’re on the wrong path altogether. It’s important to remember that feeling unqualified doesn’t necessarily mean we’re on the wrong path, but not every strong pull is God’s calling, either.

Okay, back to the point. Moses tried the unqualified argument, too. When God called him from the burning bush, Moses didn’t respond with confidence. He responded with a question: “Who am I?”

God knew every weakness Moses had before He called him. Why do you and I allow ourselves to think He doesn’t know ours? I know my list of shortcomings is a mile long, and I’m probably still missing a page or two. When God calls us into a new chapter, we tend to look at our resume. God didn’t answer Moses with a better resume. He didn’t tell Moses to believe in himself. He answered, “I will be with you” (Exodus 3:12, NIV).

I’m not sure anybody looking at David would have called him “qualified” to face Goliath, either. However, David wasn’t confident because he believed in himself. He was confident because he knew who the battle was for.

I’ve spent much of my life believing preparation comes first and opportunity follows. Work harder. Learn more. Get stronger. Become qualified. Don’t get me wrong; there is nothing wrong with preparation. Preparation matters, but we can’t keep using “I’m not ready” as a permanent hiding place because sometimes God reverses the order.

Sometimes He calls you first. The calling is actually part of how He prepares you. You take the first uncomfortable step. Sometimes God reveals the next step. Sometimes He simply teaches you to trust Him while you wait. Then you begin to learn what you don’t know. You get humbled. You grow. You surrender a little more. You depend less on your own ability and more on Him.

Maybe that’s the point. My confidence belongs in Jesus, not in me!

So, if you’re standing at the starting line of something new thinking, “I’m not qualified for this,” maybe you’re asking the wrong question. Don’t ask, “Am I qualified?” Ask, “Have I prayed about this? Have I sought wise counsel? Does it align with the Word of God?” Lastly, if God is truly leading me, am I willing to give Him my yes?

So this week, let’s remind ourselves: Our insecurity doesn’t surprise God. Our lack of experience doesn’t intimidate Him. Obedience doesn’t require the absence of fear. Sometimes the most faithful prayer we can offer is simply, “Yes, God. I’m still nervous. I’m still learning. I’m not sure I’m ready, but if You’re calling me, help me obey.”

God doesn’t need my résumé. He wants my surrender.