The Called

Last weekend, my Pastor at church said something that stuck in my head. He said "God doesn't call the gifted, He gifts the called." It stood out to me because sometimes I feel like I'm really not qualified to do some things. Especially in places of leadership. Just like Moses. But, in these past few months, God has shown me that I have more potential than I thought.

It started in March, when I was preparing to give a speech at a national bible convention in Chicago called Awana Summit. I wasn't at all nervous about it until about an hour before I had to give my speech. It was a competition, so to speak, with a small scolarship attached to the best score. And, honestly, even with all the encouraging praises I got at practices...I doubted myself (which is ironic, because my speech was about doubt). There were tears and twitching and shaking and much prayer. But, as soon as I steped up to do my speech, all of it left. God brought me through and helped me give my speech the best I had given it. I even won a gold medal for it (no scolarship, but still, a blessing)! That one experience has shown me that God, even when I'm shaking inside (and out), helps me to look confident and strong. He called me to write and give that speech, and he gifted me so that I could give it strongly.

Moving on to my next exciting Jesus moment. At the beginning of this month, I auditioned my my church worship team, and next to my Summit speech, this was possibly one of the most nerve wracking experiences of my life. I know I can sing. Being on the Awana worhsip team has taught me that much, but then, I never had to audition for the Awana worship team. Once again, I doubted my ability. But, the audition went rather smoothly. I didn't end up getting on the main team. But they told me that they wanted me to gain a little more experience on the Youth worship team. If God hadn't wanted me to be on the team, he wouldn't have put me on it. But, He gifted my voice with the ability to sing, and He calls me to use it for His glory.

One last experience, very recently, of how God gifted me... and this is one I wouldn't have expected.
I've never believed that I was very good with kids. But, this last week, I was asked to nanny a family of six kids (officially, I only had to watch four of them, but there were times when I had to watch the little ones as well). God told me immediatly that I was supposed to do it, so I took the job. But, a few hours after I accepted the job...I began protesting. What if they don't like me? What do I do if one of them gets hurt? Or sick? What if I can't get them to do what I ask??? These thoughts went running through my mind, and I started to panic! Nevertheless...God told me to suck it up, becasue he called me to do this, and he would help me through it. And, suprisingly (but not raelly suprisingly) I was fine. The kids were...um....semi-obeidient, there were some cuts and bruises (and even a lose tooth!) but God gave me the wisdom to deal with them. No one got sick. And, when I left on the last day, there were many pouty faces, which sort of shows that they did like me! I was so thankful to God that he gifted me enough to help out that family. I had a blast with them!

So...next time you think that you're not qualified to do what God asks you, just remember that God doesn't call the gifted. He gifts the called. And He'll help you get through whatever you're facing.

Be Bold. Be Blessed. Be Bodacious.
~Ana