Embracing Our Call: Overcoming Inadequacy Through Faith
Summary
### Summary
Welcome, everyone, to Shepherd of the Hills Presbyterian Church here in Austin, Texas. Whether you're joining us in person or online, we are thrilled to have you with us today. Today, we are diving into the call of the prophet Isaiah, a story that resonates deeply with many of us who feel unqualified or inadequate for the roles we are called to play in life.
We began by discussing the concept of imposter syndrome, a feeling many of us experience when we believe we are not good enough or prepared for the tasks at hand. This feeling can be paralyzing, making us hesitant to step into roles we are called to fulfill. The term "winging it" originated in the 19th-century theater world, where actors had to quickly learn lines and perform roles they were not initially prepared for. This concept is relatable to many of us who find ourselves thrust into unexpected roles in life.
We then transitioned to the story of Isaiah, who felt woefully inadequate when called by God. Isaiah's vision of God on a throne, surrounded by seraphim, is a powerful image of divine majesty and holiness. Isaiah's immediate reaction was one of unworthiness, feeling that he was a man of unclean lips living among a people of unclean lips. However, one of the seraphim touched his lips with a burning coal, symbolizing purification and readiness for the task ahead.
This story teaches us that God's ways are not our ways. Often, we want to stay comfortable and avoid change, but God calls us to step out of our comfort zones. A friend of mine once had a sign on his desk that read, "God loves you and has a difficult plan for your life." This is a reminder that while God's plans may be challenging, they are ultimately for our growth and fulfillment.
We also discussed the idea that God doesn't call the qualified; He qualifies the called. Many of us feel unqualified for the roles we are called to play, but when we feel that burning desire within us, we must trust that God will equip us for the task. Isaiah's response to God's call, "Here am I, send me," is a powerful declaration of faith and willingness to step into the unknown.
As we moved into the communion service, we were reminded that this is a family meal, open to all who wish to partake. The act of communion is a powerful symbol of unity and remembrance of Christ's sacrifice. We also took a moment to honor our volunteers and celebrate the amazing things happening in our church community.
In conclusion, we are all called to step into roles that may feel daunting or beyond our capabilities. But with faith and trust in God's plan, we can rise to the occasion and fulfill our divine purpose. Let us go out into the world with the assurance that God goes before us, behind us, and within us, guiding us every step of the way.
### Key Takeaways
1. Imposter Syndrome and Winging It: Many of us experience imposter syndrome, feeling unqualified or inadequate for the roles we are called to play. This can make us hesitant to step into our calling. However, the concept of "winging it," originating from the theater world, teaches us that sometimes we have to step into roles unprepared and trust that we will learn and grow along the way. [57:07]
2. God's Ways Are Not Our Ways: Often, we want to stay comfortable and avoid change, but God's plans for us usually involve stepping out of our comfort zones. This can be challenging, but it is ultimately for our growth and fulfillment. A friend once had a sign that read, "God loves you and has a difficult plan for your life," reminding us that while God's plans may be tough, they are for our ultimate good. [01:20:50]
3. God Qualifies the Called: Many of us feel unqualified for the roles we are called to play, but God doesn't call the qualified; He qualifies the called. When we feel a burning desire within us, we must trust that God will equip us for the task. Isaiah's response to God's call, "Here am I, send me," is a powerful declaration of faith and willingness to step into the unknown. [01:23:53]
4. The Power of Communion: Communion is a family meal, open to all who wish to partake. It is a powerful symbol of unity and remembrance of Christ's sacrifice. This act reminds us that we are all part of a larger community, united in our faith and purpose. [01:27:19]
5. Honoring Our Volunteers: Our church community thrives because of the dedication and hard work of our volunteers. Celebrating and honoring them is essential, as they play a crucial role in the life of our church. Their willingness to answer the call and serve is a testament to the power of faith and community. [01:34:19]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[14:02] - Announcements
[18:58] - VBS and Volunteer Recognition
[35:50] - Amy Nelson's Journey
[42:00] - Supporting Female Leadership
[49:41] - Memorial Day Reflection
[56:17] - Trinity Sunday Introduction
[57:07] - Imposter Syndrome and Winging It
[01:03:36] - The Call of Isaiah
[01:10:42] - Isaiah's Vision and Unworthiness
[01:20:50] - God's Ways Are Not Our Ways
[01:23:53] - God Qualifies the Called
[01:27:19] - Communion
[01:34:19] - Honoring Our Volunteers
[01:35:08] - Benediction
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
Isaiah 6:1-8 (NIV)
> In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord, high and exalted, seated on a throne; and the train of his robe filled the temple. Above him were seraphim, each with six wings: With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying. And they were calling to one another: "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory." At the sound of their voices the doorposts and thresholds shook and the temple was filled with smoke. "Woe to me!" I cried. "I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the Lord Almighty." Then one of the seraphim flew to me with a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with tongs from the altar. With it he touched my mouth and said, "See, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for." Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, "Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?" And I said, "Here am I. Send me!"
### Observation Questions
1. What was Isaiah's initial reaction to his vision of the Lord? ([01:12:15])
2. How did the seraphim purify Isaiah, and what was the significance of this act? ([01:13:59])
3. What was Isaiah's response to God's call, and why is it significant? ([01:17:32])
4. How does the concept of "winging it" relate to Isaiah's experience and our own lives? ([01:01:00])
### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think Isaiah felt unworthy in the presence of God, and how does this reflect our own feelings of inadequacy? ([01:12:15])
2. What does the act of the seraphim touching Isaiah's lips with a burning coal symbolize in terms of readiness and purification? ([01:13:59])
3. How does the statement "God doesn't call the qualified; He qualifies the called" apply to Isaiah's story and our own lives? ([01:05:39])
4. In what ways does the story of Isaiah challenge us to step out of our comfort zones and trust in God's plan? ([01:22:25])
### Application Questions
1. Have you ever experienced imposter syndrome in your life? How did it affect your willingness to step into a new role or responsibility? ([57:59])
2. Think of a time when you felt unqualified for a task but decided to "wing it." What was the outcome, and how did it shape your faith or confidence? ([01:01:00])
3. Isaiah responded to God's call with "Here am I, send me." Is there a specific area in your life where you feel God is calling you to step up? How can you respond to that call? ([01:17:32])
4. Reflect on the statement "God's ways are not our ways." How can you embrace this truth in your daily life, especially when facing challenges or uncertainties? ([01:22:25])
5. The sermon mentioned that God qualifies the called. What steps can you take to trust that God will equip you for the tasks He has set before you? ([01:05:39])
6. How can the act of communion remind you of your unity with the church community and your role within it? ([01:27:19])
7. In what ways can you honor and support the volunteers in your church community, recognizing their contributions and encouraging others to serve? ([01:34:19])
Devotional
Day 1: Overcoming Imposter Syndrome
Many of us experience imposter syndrome, feeling unqualified or inadequate for the roles we are called to play. This can make us hesitant to step into our calling. However, the concept of "winging it," originating from the theater world, teaches us that sometimes we have to step into roles unprepared and trust that we will learn and grow along the way. [57:07]
Isaiah 41:10 (ESV): "Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."
Reflection: Think of a role or responsibility you feel unqualified for. How can you trust God to help you "wing it" and grow into this role?
Day 2: Embracing God's Challenging Plans
Often, we want to stay comfortable and avoid change, but God's plans for us usually involve stepping out of our comfort zones. This can be challenging, but it is ultimately for our growth and fulfillment. A friend once had a sign that read, "God loves you and has a difficult plan for your life," reminding us that while God's plans may be tough, they are for our ultimate good. [01:20:50]
Jeremiah 29:11 (ESV): "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope."
Reflection: Identify an area in your life where you are resisting change. How can you embrace God's challenging plan for your growth and fulfillment?
Day 3: Trusting God to Equip Us
Many of us feel unqualified for the roles we are called to play, but God doesn't call the qualified; He qualifies the called. When we feel a burning desire within us, we must trust that God will equip us for the task. Isaiah's response to God's call, "Here am I, send me," is a powerful declaration of faith and willingness to step into the unknown. [01:23:53]
2 Corinthians 3:5-6 (ESV): "Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God, who has made us sufficient to be ministers of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit. For the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life."
Reflection: What is one area where you feel a burning desire to serve but feel unqualified? How can you trust God to equip you for this task?
Day 4: The Unity of Communion
Communion is a family meal, open to all who wish to partake. It is a powerful symbol of unity and remembrance of Christ's sacrifice. This act reminds us that we are all part of a larger community, united in our faith and purpose. [01:27:19]
1 Corinthians 10:16-17 (ESV): "The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ? Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread."
Reflection: How can you foster a sense of unity and community in your church or small group this week?
Day 5: Celebrating Volunteers
Our church community thrives because of the dedication and hard work of our volunteers. Celebrating and honoring them is essential, as they play a crucial role in the life of our church. Their willingness to answer the call and serve is a testament to the power of faith and community. [01:34:19]
Romans 12:10-11 (ESV): "Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord."
Reflection: Think of a volunteer in your church who has made a significant impact. How can you show appreciation and honor their service this week?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "Many of us, I think, in life, in various stages of our life, have probably felt that way, right? We wonder if people will discover that we just might be winging it, you know? And then we'll be found out. Then we'll be discovered and uncovered as a fraud. You're like, oh, you weren't prepared. You are not fit for this job. You're not qualified to do this. You're not whatever it is, right? That's the fear that we have inside, that we're going to be found out." [57:59]
2. "So what do we learn from this? What does this story teach us? Well, the first thing is pretty simple. God's ways are not our ways. Thanks be to God, right? Because if it was up to us, most of us would just want to stay comfortable, like just stay where we are, right? You know, not have to move, not have to do anything, right? So we have to, we have to understand, thing that requires something of us or requires change, transformation, upsetting, turning our world upside down, whoa, that's a little too much, right?" [01:20:50]
3. "God doesn't call the qualified. God qualifies the called. Because if God called the qualified, there wouldn't be any of us at all. I wouldn't be standing here for dang sure. So I want us to really hold on to that, and it's kind of awesome that without really making a lot of, we did not sit down as a staff and have a discussion, like, oh, Pastor Leon is preaching on what it means to be called and to answer that call, and despite the fact that you feel inadequate, on the very least, you're not that we're talking about and honoring volunteers who served in children's and youth ministry." [01:05:39]
4. "When we start embracing and kind of holding on, you know, onto that idea of imposter syndrome, where we walk around constantly thinking, I'm not good enough, I'm ill-prepared, and you just keep waiting for the other shoe to drop, right? That somebody is going to find out that I really am a fraud, that I don't know what I'm doing. Then what happens over time is then when opportunities come, the moment comes for you to answer a call, to step forward, and maybe, just maybe, like do the thing that you were born to do, you know, you kind of hold back, right?" [01:02:39]
### Quotes for Members
1. "Because God doesn't call the qualified. God qualifies the called. And all of us are experiencing that all of the time because God never stops speaking. Never stops. Singing over us, moving us ever closer to our purpose, our passions, our joys, our fulfillment as human beings, to be the truest and best versions of us." [01:24:35]
2. "So the story we're reading today is about the prophet Isaiah's calling, and a moment when he had a decision to make about the calling on his life. A moment he felt completely unprepared for. So this is great. We are reading from one of the great prophets in Hebrew scripture who feels and felt exactly like we do, right? Sometimes. So that's a bonus for all of us." [01:05:39]
3. "So the uncertainty in our world contrasts with the reassurance of God in this story, right? So there's uncertainty with the death of King Uzziah. What comes next? We don't know. Who will be king after that? Will the king be a good king? Will the king lead us into destruction? Will the king, you know, do terrible and awful things? I mean, we're, you know, what do we do? I mean, we know nothing about it. We know nothing about it. We know nothing about it. We don't know any of that, do we? About wondering what the leader is going to do or who's going to be the leader and all that other stuff and worrying about who's going to be the leaders." [01:10:42]
4. "So let's keep reading. Woe to me, I cried. This is Isaiah speaking. I am ruined for I am a man of unclean lips and I live among a people of unclean lips and my eyes have seen the King, the Lord Almighty. So his unworthy, this is what comes to his mind right away, right? I am unworthy of this. I'm unworthy of this vision. I'm unworthy of everything at this point. Like I'm a person of unclean lips. Like I, no matter what I say is going to not do any kind of service is not going to be honoring enough, is not going to be good enough. It's going to be an adequate to honor. God to describe what I'm seeing." [01:12:15]
5. "I heard the voice of the Lord saying, whom shall I send and who will go for us? And I said, here am I send me. That line is probably one of the most impactful and moving lines in the entire Hebrew scripture. It may be for the whole Bible for me. Um, there's a, there's a hymn, right? That, uh, here I am, Lord, it is I Lord. Um, and loosely kind of based around that. Um, and I've had that hymn played at my ordination, um, and the installation in my former church and my installation here, because I wanted to be reminded of that moment, right? Whom shall I send? Here am I, send me." [01:15:33]
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