“Paul, an apostle-sent not from men nor by man, but by Jesus Christ and God the Father.” – Galatians 1:1

“I did not consult any man, nor did I go up to Jerusalem to see those who were apostles before I was…” – Galatians 1: 16-17

We see here that Paul, once he received his calling from God, did not ask for anyone’s permission to do anything nor did he feel like he needed to ask the original apostle’s their permission. He obeyed God and did exactly what he was told to do. He followed his calling immediately.

I truly believe that a calling from God a lot of time will not make worldly sense. He may call you to do something impossible with the gifts he’s already given you. He can also call you do to something with gifts he planted deep inside you that you didn’t know you had. Before Paul got his calling, he persecuted the church very heavily and nothing in his past would suggest he would change course the way he did.

Whatever the case is and whatever your mission here on earth looks like, you do not need anyone’s permission to carry out your calling. You do not need to follow the advice of the world. The world may say, “you have never done this before nor is there anything in your past that suggests you can do this.” Do not listen to these voices. Although you must view yourself with sober judgement, once you receive your calling, there is no turning back for God’s gifts and his call are irrevocable (Romans 11:29).

Feelings of inadequacy are inevitable. Fear is inevitable. In the face of fear and inadequacy, you follow your calling anyway.

God does not call the qualified, he qualifies the called.

I pray this encourages someone.

-Phil