Do We Qualify?

In this passage of Hebrews we are told to run the race marked out for us. Athletes have to train and run in qualifying races to make the grade; how do we qualify for the race marked out for us?

Do we strive and train and equip ourselves in our own strength, trying to get ‘good enough’ to run the race? Or do we trust in the only one who can qualify us, that is Jesus?

When the Lord, nearly fifteen years ago, gave me a vision for the first Ellel Centre in Australia, and with that vision He was calling me to be the Centre Director, I honestly didn’t feel like I qualified for that role. I wrestled with Lord. I felt that my life disqualified me from a position such as that.

In Deuteronomy 18:9-13 it speaks of detestable practices. It says ‘When you enter the land the LORD your God is giving you, do not learn to imitate the detestable ways of the nations there. Let no-one be found among you who sacrifices his son or daughter in the fire, who practises divination or sorcery, interprets omens, engages in witchcraft, or casts spells, or who is a medium or spiritist or who consults the dead. Anyone who does these things is detestable to the LORD, and because of these detestable practices the LORD your God will drive out those nations before you. You must be blameless before the LORD your God.

I and my ancestors had been involved in such things as these, and therefore even though I’d been forgiven, and I’d forgiven my ancestors, how could I qualify for such a position? My other struggle was that I was a woman, and I believed that disqualified me too.

I found out that the truth is that Jesus qualifies me, because of His death on the cross and His blood that was shed for me. He equips the called - He doesn’t necessarily call the equipped. My job was to be obedient, and that was the qualification I needed.

No matter what’s happened in your life, what you’ve done, your ancestors have done, or what others have done against you, God loves you and qualifies you as His child, set apart and beloved. Rejoice in the fact that God asks you to run the race, and qualifies you to be able to do it with Him.

Prayer: Loving Heavenly Father, thank You that You call me to run the race marked out for me. Help me to understand that You’ve qualified me to run the race, and that running the race with You is the most exciting thing I can do. Help me to be obedient to want to run the race and not strive in my own strength, but trust that You will give me the strength I need. In Jesus’ name. Amen.