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I recently successfully completed my Master’s studies and as I sat down to think about what I was going to do next, I found myself doubting myself and thinking that I didn’t have enough experience to apply for almost all the jobs I found. So I found myself going for the jobs that didn’t require much experience (in my opinion). I shared this with my watch party and my e-group (from elevation church) and with my besties. One of the things that stood out to me from what most of the people in these different circles were telling me is that I will be surprised. I was told, “you may meet someone at these (small) jobs that leads you to the job you want.” This encouraged me to take up an offer from one of these jobs that I was second guessing. I immediately found myself realizing that this season or situation that I was in was familiar. I remembered that I had been in this same place just a few years ago. In 2017, I set out to search for a master’s degree and this season felt like it would never end. I got rejections and for some of them I didn’t have the requirements needed. It felt like I was never going to achieve this dream of getting what I wanted.

I was in the middle. So I took up a language course and just told myself, “keep searching.” I even made a decision to just apply to any course that could take me, just so I could extend my visa as I waited on the right opportunity to come. On this particular morning, I woke up and told God that he needed to come through. I was tired of feeling like I just wasn’t enough. So right before my language classes, I got onto my computer and to my surprise I found two master’s programs that listed all the bachelor’s requirements I had. I could not believe my eyes. One of them, the one I just completed, turned out to have (in that particular semester) turned it’s language of instruction from German to English. I applied, but even in the season of waiting (for the acceptance) I still got attacked by the devil who made me doubt, but I eventually got accepted and that season came to pass.

Now, a week ago, a friend of mine shared this job advert which she thought was perfect for me and before I could open it, my mind was already thinking of my inexperience. I found out after opening the link that I was checking all the boxes in this advert. It wasn’t just a job that I wanted to apply to but it turned out to be the dream job that I had been describing to my peers. It is exactly what I want to do with my life. Now, I applied for this job yesterday but before I did, I listened to a message this previous Sunday from pastor Steven Furtick (PSF) titled “What You Call Small” and it was a WORD IN SEASON! wow! I decided after this sermon that even if I didn’t get offered this job, I would still be thankful to God for speaking to me. This job advert made me realize that what I call little experience (from a common frame of reference) is something that an organization out there is looking for as a perfect candidate.

In his sermon, PSF contends that we as humans often choose to either dramatize or downplay our pain or burden, our calling, our gifts. For instance, we may find ourselves in a situation where we make our blessings or talents appear small when talking to other people just so we can defend ourselves from their opinions. However, PSF says that when we do this, “it diminish the divinity that God has put inside of you (us).” “You insult the manufacturer,” he adds. Some part of me felt guilty each time I told people that I felt like I didn’t have enough work experience. That guilt came from me remembering that God always has a reason for everything he takes us through. I mean, I attained a lot of (see I even feel some type of way typing this) experience from my program such as research methods and I can speak a foreign language. Things I didn’t know I needed. Moreover, my work experience (in my previous jobs) is actually pretty good and has been commended by a few people that I have spoken to and yet I still feel like it is not enough. Meanwhile, this has held me back from applying to so many jobs in the past. What I forget is that rejections create space for God’s blessings to come through. In being rejected by other universities, I ended up getting the master’s program that I actually needed for my career to start.

PSF uses the story of David’s anointing in I Samuel 16: 1-13. Here he expounds our perspective of God and of self. While Samuel, Jesse (David’s father) and David’s brothers saw his outward appearance (small), God saw his heart and chose him to be the new King of Israel. And yet, “Saul was big but never saw himself as big” says PSF. Similarly, Bethlehem was a small place (Micah 5:2) and yet God chose this place to rule over Israel. Furthermore, according to PSF, we often want our prayers to be answered so fast, we want the first thing that we see to be the answer to our prayers but God will sometimes take us through “the process of elimination.” Samuel had to go through all Jesse’s sons before he realized that God had not sent him to anoint a well built son but a ruddy one. Similarly, Saul thought that the simple (God’s ) instructions given to him by Samuel to follow weren’t significant but his disobedience to God cost him the throne. He made what appeared as small decisions which made God reject him (I Samuel 15). Meanwhile, David did what was asked of him such as tending to his father’s sheep, accepting to carry food to his brothers, serving and playing the harp for Saul even after he had already been anointed, etc., things that his brothers ridiculed him for. But guess what, these small decisions got him promotion after promotion. He later became a hero in Israel after defeating Goliath.

I previously discussed how it often takes time for God to get us to where want to be and that while he leads us through a process of pruning, we have to be obedient and do as he says or else we will delay our purpose. In relation to this, PSF explains that small things or decisions matter in life. He explains that instead of us being impatient and looking for immediate results, we should trust God who sees the whole picture (eternal results). PSF reminds us about the significance or consequence of the things we say, these can either be compliments that we give to people or the things we say when we are angry. These no matter how small, can change the course of someone’s life either for good or for bad. For instance, a compliment may help brighten someone’s bad day, it may help give them perspective, and our criticism can cause someone pain that would last for years. Therefore, change your habits, your attitude, your traits, pray (no matter how small the prayer is), trust, praise, worship, etc. and watch how things will fall into place. These are small steps into greatness. It may feel insignificant but it matters a lot how you treat others or how they treat you.

Are you feeling worthless, insecure, inexperienced, too young, too old, too weak, too sinful, etc. I have something to encourage you. In addition to David, here are some examples in the bible that you can refer to each time you need a frame of reference. Abraham and Sarah were too old to bare children but they had a son-Isaac, Moses felt inexperienced to lead the Israelites out of Egypt, Peter felt like he was so sinful he didn’t deserve to serve Jesus, Jesus used a little boy’s small loaves of bread and fish to feed thousands, Paul considered himself the worst of sinners and yet he wrote half of the New Testament, a small staff (stick) is what God used to perform the greatest miracles in Egypt, among so many others. You have got to take what God has given you and multiply it into thousands. Invest your time into advancing yourself, that’s if you feel like you need more to get to where God wants you to be. God puts things along our way for us to use them to move forward. In quoting Ephesians 5:2, PSF reminds us that God has promised to provide for us above and beyond. What you consider small or not enough right now is something God is going to use to make you great. Therefore, as you try to follow the path of God in your purpose, do not be afraid of the process of elimination, i.e. of failing, of the pain, of the obstacles. These are just things that God is using to move you. My fiancé recently reminded me that it is in our weaknesses that God finds an opportunity to come into our lives and help us, it is here that we acknowledge that we are mere humans in need of a savior. Rejoice in your weaknesses my friend, God is going to manifest himself right there. PSF tells us that we are “insecure but sacred in God’s eyes.” He also says, “what is small to us, it’s big to God.” He encourages us to ask God to show us the things that are big to Him that we have been seeing as small. And lastly, he explains, “you call it small because you haven’t seen it on the other side.”

As we set out to celebrate who God created us to be, what he has given us (no matter how small or big), I pray that God may give you peace of mind and perspective to be able to see the world through his eyes.

With love and prayers,

Resty Kansiime

Here is the sermon from PSF What You Call Small | Pastor Steven Furtick | Elevation Church – YouTube.