Moses tried desperately to deny God’s call to leadership. He reminded God that he was a nobody who stuttered. Moses said to God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?” - Exodus 3:11. Despite Moses’ reluctance, God was with him, and he did manage to lead his people out of Egypt, albeit with some kicking and screaming and defiance along the way.

Gideon too reminded God of his inadequacies in an attempt to avoid leadership. “Pardon me, my lord,” Gideon replied, “but how can I save Israel? My clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my family.” - Judges 6:15. When that didn’t work, he required sign after sign from God. And God graciously provided exactly what Gideon needed to be the leader God needed him to be. Again, God’s people were saved from oppression at the hands of the Midianites.

Jonah’s reluctance famously landed him INSIDE the belly of a fish. “But Jonah ran away from the LORD” -Jonah 1:3. From that belly, Jonah pleaded with God in prayer, was spat upon a beach, and then followed God’s call to leadership which ultimately saved a major city and all its inhabitants. That whole being swallowed by a giant fish may be some of the most convincing evidence that God does not play around when He calls someone to lead. God was with Jonah and His mission was accomplished even though Jonah still didn’t agree with God’s mercy on Nineveh. What should blow your mind here is that God doesn’t even need us to agree with Him, just follow His lead.

And, just so you don’t think I’m being unfairly critical of the men of the Bible, even Esther was reluctant in her role as queen when pressed to use her position (and, let’s face it, her well documented beauty) to save her own people, but potentially bring about her own death. “All the king’s officials and the people of the royal provinces know that for any man or woman who approaches the king in the inner court without being summoned the king has but one law: that they be put to death unless the king extends the gold scepter to them and spares their lives. But thirty days have passed since I was called to go to the king.” - Esther 4:11. The lesson from Esther being that despite God’s name not being mentioned ONCE in the whole book, He was clearly WITH Esther (reluctant) and her uncle (not reluctant) in their roles as leaders.

Back when we had a fitness class component to our Sports Ministry, I was a member of the team of women who lead classes. The Facebook “Memories” feature often shows me posts where I invited friends to my classes and dubbed myself a #reluctantleader. That description is 100% accurate.

When I first took on the role, I couldn’t even pray in front of the class. I had never prayed publicly and the thought of it made me feel physically ill, so another leader did that for me. It wasn’t just my spiritual shortcomings that made me reluctant though. I really felt like I had no business in front of a group of people trying to improve their physical appearance, strength, or general health. I had no formal training,

I was never in “great” shape or at an “ideal” weight, and truth be told, I HATED working out. While I was wildly aware of my own shortcomings, I could feel God working in my heart as I grew a deeper connection to the women I lead with as well as the women we were all leading. I suspect we all did work in their lives that we may never know about. We shared devotions, personal testimonies, and prayed with and for these women. Any physical benefits I received from this leadership position disappeared a long time ago, but the spiritual benefits are still with me. In my role, I gained confidence that I was a valuable and USEABLE part of God’s kingdom, even with my reluctance.

For now, writing these MDWK Motivational messages is my reluctant attempt to serve at Victory. If you think I’m exaggerating about my reluctance, talk to David Wheatley. Ask him for screenshots of my attempts to run away from this calling. Previous reluctant attempts also include: being a Nursery Captain (always entertained “calling in sick” the night before), coaching youth soccer (aka herding feral cats), taught in the 3’s class (Not everyone here is potty trained? Thanks, but no thanks), held multiple different positions during our VBS glory days (can I use 2 herding cats comments in one paragraph), and very briefly I was a small group leader.

Am I the only one who feels like this? Like these opportunities God calls me to are just more than I’m cut out to do? Don’t answer that. I already know. As far back as Moses, God’s people have reminded Him about why we are woefully unqualified or just plain unwilling to do the job He’s calling us to do. So, yeah. It is safe to assume that you don’t always feel qualified or even inspired to serve either.

This Sunday, October 24th, immediately following 2nd service, Victory is going to offer you the opportunity to find a place to serve. Rumor has it that 52% of the people who regularly attend Victory aren’t using their gifts yet. If you’re in that 52% and really super reluctant (like me) to add something else to your plate or assume a role you’ve never held before, GO and find your place.

While I may have been reluctant to do all the things I mentioned above, I was also tremendously blessed by each opportunity. From EVERY experience, I can think of at least one situation where I feel like I made an impact for the Kingdom. And if I can think of one, there must be at least one more I’ll never know about. Whether your reluctance stems from a stutter, a lack of status, a bitterness toward the people God sends you to, or even fear for your own life like Esther, God can and will use you. Find your place and take that next step.