DAY 2 — Feeling Unqualified? Why God Still Chooses You | Excuses God Didn’t Accept

Sometimes the call of God finds us at a stage of life where we feel completely unprepared. We don’t always feel ready when God speaks — in fact, many of us feel the exact opposite, that this is the worst possible time. 

We forget this powerful scripture - Jeremiah 1:5 (NIV) which reminds us of what God says: “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart.”

So in our flesh, we look at what God is asking of us and immediately think, “Not me. I’m not ready for that. I’m not good enough, old enough, experienced enough, or wise enough.” We feel God is disrupting our comfort zone. We think this is punishment, not realising that truly this is elevation. 

We were settling into routine, settling into familiarity, settling into “normal”… and then God speaks. Suddenly, obedience requires stretching. And the discomfort of being called feels more intense than the difficulty of the assignment itself.

Jeremiah knew this feeling well. When God called him to be a prophet to the nations, Jeremiah didn’t respond with boldness. He responded with insecurity. He said in Jeremiah 1:6 (NIV):“Alas, Sovereign Lord…I do not know how to speak; I am too young.”

Like Moses, Jeremiah wasn’t questioning the assignment; he was questioning himself. In this scenario, it was about his age. He thought that his youth made him unworthy to be used by God. 

And if we are being honest, many of us do the same.

“I’m too inexperienced.”“I don’t have the training.”“I don’t know enough Bible.”“No one will take me seriously.”“I’m not ready.”

But notice how God responded. He didn’t entertain Jeremiah’s excuse. He didn’t soften the assignment. He didn’t say, “Don’t worry, Jeremiah, you’re older than you think.” God corrected the insecurity at the root.

Jeremiah 1:7 (NIV) says: “But the Lord said to me, ‘Do not say, “I am too young.” You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you.’”

God wasn’t trying to make Jeremiah feel better about himself. God was shifting Jeremiah’s focus. The calling was never based on Jeremiah’s age — it was based on God’s authority.

And God didn’t stop there. In Jeremiah 1:8 (NIV), He added: “Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you,” declares the Lord.

The message was simple: “Your age doesn’t disqualify you, because My presence qualifies you.”

Family, God always answers insecurity with presence. When Moses said he couldn’t speak, God said, “I will help you.” When Jeremiah said he was too young, God said, “I will be with you.” When Joshua felt overwhelmed, God told him in Joshua 1:9 (NIV): “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous… for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

Every person God ever used had a moment where they felt unqualified. Every one of them came face-to-face with their limitations. But God never asked, “Are you capable?” He asked, “Are you willing?” He called Gideon the weakest, David the youngest, and Mary the least likely — because God’s choosing doesn’t come from human qualifications.

1 Samuel 16:7 (NIV) reminds us of this truth: “People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”

What happens is that we often disqualify ourselves based on what others can see. But thanks be to God, our Father in heaven qualifies us based on what only He can see.

Some of us rely too much on confirmation or validation from people. We wait for others to approve us before we move. But God didn’t consult anyone when He called Jeremiah. He didn’t gather a committee. He didn’t poll the elders. He simply said, “I chose you — now go.”

Today’s live empowerment session is a reminder for someone who feels too young, too new, too inexperienced, or too unsure: God factored all of that into the calling — and He still chose you.

In Jeremiah 1:9 (NIV), God reinforces this by touching Jeremiah’s mouth and saying: “Now, I have put my words in your mouth.”

This is how God works. He doesn’t wait for us to feel ready. He equips us as we go. He strengthens us as we step forward. And He fills the gaps we worry about the most.

So today, we don’t have to feel qualified. We just have to be willing. 

Because in God’s hands, the unqualified become the chosen, the hesitant become the bold, and those who feel too young discover that, with God’s presence, they are exactly who He wants for the assignment.