How can Amos 7:14 inspire us to trust God's plan over our qualifications? Setting the Scene • The northern kingdom of Israel is prosperous but spiritually drifting. • God sends Amos—an outsider from Judah—to confront complacency and injustice. • No formal prophetic lineage or rabbinic credentials; just a man faithful to God’s voice. Amos 7:14—The Verse “Amos answered, ‘I was not a prophet, nor was I the son of a prophet; rather, I was a herdsman and a dresser of sycamore figs.’” What Amos Teaches About Our Résumé • Credentials are not prerequisites for God’s call. • Amos freely admits his ordinary occupation, underscoring that divine mission doesn’t hinge on human pedigree. • God’s authority equips the humble more than titles impress the proud (cf. 1 Samuel 16:7). Why God Chooses the “Unlikely” • To display His wisdom and power, not ours (1 Corinthians 1:26-29). • To remind us that obedience matters more than experience (Jeremiah 1:6-7). • To silence excuses—God promised words to Moses’ reluctant tongue (Exodus 4:10-12). Living This Truth Today 1. Evaluate calling by Scripture and prayer, not résumés alone. 2. Embrace assignments that seem “above your pay grade”; God’s presence fills the gap. 3. Serve faithfully where you are—Amos’ shepherding season prepared him for prophetic boldness. 4. Seek character over credentials; moral integrity gives authority its weight. 5. Rest in Christ’s sufficiency: “Apart from Me you can do nothing” (John 15:5). Takeaway Points to Remember • God’s plan outshines our qualifications. • Availability outweighs ability. • Obedience opens doors our résumés can’t. |