Who do you think you are?
Note from Kristi Graner
My main passion and gifting are to help adults grow spiritually. Many years ago while I was working at a local church, the Senior Pastor asked me to step in and lead the youth and children’s ministry team. I was willing, but very unsure of myself.
I called a meeting with the youth and children’s team and let them know about the “assignment” that I had been given. I started asking questions and talked through some plans.
I don’t remember everything about the meeting, but I do remember that it did not go well. A member of the church’s administrative staff yelled at me, told me I had no business try to lead the youth/children’s team and asked me, “Who do you think you are?”
This was a challenging time for me. I knew I had been given this assignment by the Senior Pastor. I knew had every right to be there. But what was I doing wrong?
Now years later as I look back on my younger self, I realize that I was holding back because my area of expertise was with adults and I felt unqualified to lead the youth and children.
I was internally disqualifying myself and allowing the opinions of others to disqualify me.
I needed improvement, no doubt, but I was also a good leader who was authorized and empowered to lead these people. But in the process, I had forgotten who I am and who qualifies me for my assignments. It was the Senior Pastor who had given me the assignment, but it is my God who qualifies me and empowers me.
“…giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in light.” – Colossians 1:12 NASB
In the above verse, Paul uses the Greek word hikanoo to describe what God has done for us. This word literally means “to make sufficient, decree fit and to equip one with adequate power to perform duties.”
Because of Jesus’ death and resurrection and through the Holy Spirit who lives in us and empowers us, you and I are literally qualified for everything God calls us to do.
In Ephesians 2:10 we learn that we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Do we believe this?
In this season of remembering Christ’s birth, we have an opportunity to remember and embrace the truth that He is the one who has called us. He is the one who qualifies us for the calling on our life.
In embracing this truth, we have the opportunity to grow. Inevitably we will encounter times when we doubt ourselves, when we fear the future, and when others call us “unqualified.”
In these times we have opportunity to press in closer to our Lord, the great Empowerer – the One Who calls and qualifies us. We have opportunity to remember who we are.
What we believe about ourselves and Jesus’ call on our lives will make all the difference.
As we enter this Christmas season, I invite you to consider this question: “Who do you think you are?”
God’s truth over you is that you are a son/daughter of the King of Kings. You were bought for a tremendous price, and you are qualified because He has called and qualified you.
May God’s presence be powerful over you and your loved ones this Christmas season.
Love and blessings,
Kristi
