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I love the story of Gideon and the Midianites (Judges 6-8).
God’s people needed a miracle, and they needed a leader who could lead them out of bondage. So what did God do? He picked a coward, the “weakest of the weak,” who had no experience, no leadership background, and no military credibility.
A similar thing happened in the New Testament when Jesus chose his disciples. He didn’t pick scholars or proven leaders. He picked fishermen, a tax collector, and some ordinary guys. None of them had been to seminary or properly trained.
But like Gideon, they were available and willing to serve. They were unproven and raw, but they had potential. And God looked past their current place and saw who they were capable of becoming.
... some of us may be in the same boat as Gideon. We are inexperienced with certain kinds of technology or leading teams. We are learning on the fly. We are undeveloped, not properly schooled, neither professionally certified nor trained.
During this current season of national crisis, some of us may be in the same boat as Gideon. We are inexperienced with certain kinds of technology or leading teams. We are learning on the fly. We are undeveloped, not properly schooled, neither professionally certified nor trained.
In fact, for some of us, our leaders may have already approached us about taking on more responsibility when congregants return, and our heads are already swimming as we try and figure out how to make that happen.
But where we see ourselves as incapable and undeserving, God sees us for the potential he has placed inside of us.
For the times we feel like we’re in over our heads, or we’re not ready or capable of the responsibilities with which we’ve been entrusted, here are some important ideas to remember.
Peace surpasses understanding
On the surface, none of it makes sense. We are scared and confused and have no idea how to do some of the things we’ve been asked to do.
But when God showed himself to Gideon through a sign in Judges 6, Gideon then built an altar whose name was “The Lord Is Peace” (Judges 6:24 NIV).
He knew that, as overwhelmed and uncertain as he was, God’s presence would be with him to give him peace. It’s the same truth that Paul knew in Philippians 4:7 NIV, where he proclaims that the peace of God “transcends all understanding.”
... where we see ourselves as incapable and undeserving, God sees us for the potential he has placed inside of us.
When we are over our heads, supernatural peace is only a quick prayer away. And that peace has the ability to then provide us with an amazing sense of confidence, not only in ourselves, but in God’s ability to carry us through the situation.
Self-awareness is critical
While God does provide supernatural peace, we still have a role to play in the process. We still have to take steps and act out what we’ve been asked to do.
So, I can’t just sit around all day and pray, hoping that miracles will start popping up and answers will fall from the sky.
The process of action first begins with a healthy understanding of who we are as individuals, where our strengths and weaknesses lie, and what resources we have at our disposal.
Gideon may not have had any prior military experience. But he also knew that in order to be successful in battle, he needed an army. He was able to look at the resources around him and utilize what he had to offset what he was lacking.
In the same way, we need to understand what we may naturally be skilled at and where we may be lacking, and then offset those things with others who can make up for what is missing.
[Gideon] was able to look at the resources around him and utilize what he had to offset what he was lacking.
Do I have volunteers who are good at what I’m not? Can I Google certain things (or watch YouTube videos) to glean the knowledge I don’t already have? Are there relationships with other churches I can build so I can lean on others for help when I don’t know what to do?
I remember being in a nearly identical spot when I was hired for my ministry role in early 2009. I was very clear to my boss that I felt "over my head" and didn’t feel like I had enough experience to do the job well. His answer was reassuring, and I still think of it all these years later.
He said, “I don’t expect you to know all the answers. I just need you to know where to go to find the answers.”
There’s a certain amount of humility required in all of us to admit that we don’t know everything. But that’s why the self-awareness piece of the equation is so critical. We’ll never be successful without being aware of our deficiencies so we can work to offset them.
Fake it 'til you make it (yes, you read that right)
I’ve often heard it said that people will forgive lack of competence in a leader, as long as that person isn’t trying to be an expert when they clearly aren’t. After all, nobody knows everything, and it’s natural that we’re all going to screw up at some point.
... what I may lack in experience or industry knowledge, I need to make up for in passion, character, and communication.
But as I’m in the process of learning more about my craft, I have to compensate in other areas so that my team still feels confident in my ability to lead.
So, what I may lack in experience or industry knowledge, I need to make up for in passion, character, and communication.
I may not have every answer, but if I’m confident, passionate, and am always in a great mood, ready to tackle the day, people will be willing to line up and follow. Nobody wants to follow Eeyore, who’s always down and depressed. But people will follow a Tigger, who’s always excited and cheerful and is looking forward to taking on a new challenge.
I may lack experience, but I need to be transparent about my own faults and feelings and show that I’m still a person of integrity and high character. When people see me as willing to be vulnerable, but still committed to a process of growth and vision, that can be inspiring to them, knowing that there’s not an expectation of perfection amongst the team.
Likewise, I may not know exactly how it’s all going to work out, but as long as I’m regularly communicating, sharing vision and updates, and doing my best to paint a clear picture of what’s expected of me and the team, folks will still get on board.
They will forgive my lack of competence as I learn and grow. But people are less likely to forgive a lack of character or a lack of clarity in communication. More than anything, people need transparency and honesty.
I can rely on the power of God to give me an outward sense of calm, confidence, and peace that can then inspire those around me.
So, do I want to lie and make it seem like I’m more capable than I am? No. But I do want to project a sense of confidence that, even though I’m still learning, I’m committed to growing myself and setting up the team for success.
While I’m freaking out on the inside, wondering how in the world I’m going to be able to pull off what I’ve been tasked with, I can rely on the power of God to give me an outward sense of calm, confidence, and peace that can then inspire those around me.
At the end of the day, God often uses people in over their heads to do great things. The best part about being in that spot is that it forces us to be reliant on the power of God to carry us through, since we know that our own abilities and skills are lacking.
That allows us to be in the best possible position: to be a vessel through whom God gets glory for accomplishing great things.
We may not be facing hordes of Midianite raiders terrorizing our congregation, but we’re all going through a season where we’re in over our heads at some level.
God is raising us up to be an army of difference-makers. We may see ourselves as incapable, but he sees us as mighty warriors, capable of doing far more amazing things than we’ve ever dreamed of.
