Calling: Feeling Inadequate
"Now, some of you may be shy by nature, perhaps feeling yourselves inadequate to respond affirmatively to a calling. Remember that this work is not yours and mine alone. It is the Lord's work, and when we are on the Lord's errand, brethren, we are entitled to the Lord's help. Remember that the Lord will shape the back to bear the burden placed upon it."
(President Thomas S. Monson, "The Sacred Call of Service," Ensign, May 2005, 56)
This is me right here! Sometimes I get so nervous when I have to do a calling but I will try to remember this quote.
I'm a very shy person aswell.
I don't mind teaching my little kids but when I have to give a talk or teach in the Relief Society sometimes I want to tell them I wont do it. But I make myself do it and as I pray for strength, things get better.
2 weeks ago I had to take over for music time because the Sister had left on vacation. I can't sing at all but I did it anyways. It's very hard when you feel inadequate.
I think we have all (or will all) feel inadequate when accepting a call to serve in His kingdom. It sometimes has to do with being shy, or sometimes I think it's a matter of humility . . . for example, imagine being called as Relief Society President or Bishop! I would hope there's not anyone in the Church who would feel adequate to those callings!
The key here is, as President Monson points out, that it is ulitmately the Lord's work and He is able to help us in what He has called us to do.
Excellent quote. Thanks for sharing!
There were two callings I felt inadequate about, when I was called as a chorester, I knew absolutly nothing about conducting music. Then when I was called as a Gospel Doctrine Teacher. With both callings I learned new things about me and they helped me become a better person.
"The call of duty can come quietly as we who hold the priesthood respond to the assignments we receive. President George Albert Smith, that modest yet effective leader and eighth President of the Church, declared, 'It is your duty first of all to learn what the Lord wants and then by the power and strength of His holy Priesthood to magnify your calling in the presence of your fellows in such a way that the people will be glad to follow you' (in Conference Report, Apr. 1942, 14)."
Ref. (Thomas S. Monson, "True to Our Priesthood Trust," Ensign, Nov. 2006, 58)
I think that people are given calling for two reasons:
1. To help those that they have stewardship over, and
2. To help them grow.
If someone is called to a position and feel that they are perfectly qualified for that calling they need to humble them selves and think (pray) about what this calling can do to help them improve and become an even better person.
Sometimes a calling is giving just to fulfill an urgent need the bishopric has at the moment. Regardless, just take it by the horns and run with it. Fear and faith don't exist in the same man at the same time. I think Joseph said something like that.