Unqualified by Steven Furtick can bring encouragement to those who believe that they may be unqualified for God to use them.  Furtick points out, “God has a habit of picking people who have been passed over” (p. 4).  You may not believe you are up to the task but the Apostle Paul reveals the true source of our adequacy,

Not that we are adequate in ourselves to consider anything as coming from ourselves, but our adequacy is from God,  (2 Corinthians 3:5)

A recurring theme throughout this book is “The belief that God is more interested in our perfection than our relationship with him is the birthplace of insecurity” (p. 53).  The problem with focusing on perfection is that we may cover up our weaknesses in order to gain God’s acceptance.  Furtick argues that, “The idea that we can find ourselves without first finding God is a fallacy” (p. 65).  He continues, “But if we really want to discover ourselves, if we really want to find out whether we are qualified, we have to look beyond ourselves.  We have to look to the One who created us” (p. 66).

We are not to focus on ourselves but rather on our relationship with God, “But self-perfection is not the goal of human existence.  Relationship with God is.  Walking with God is. Knowing God, following God, listening to God, obeying God – those are the things humanity was created for” (p. 124).  Furtick wisely notes, “God’s blessing on our lives has far more to do with who he is than who we are.  That was the whole point of his I AM revelation to Moses” (p. 166).

The latter third of the book presents an overview of the life of Jacob and the identity issues that he faced.  “Jacob’s lifelong struggle culminated in the simple realization that life – with all its messiness, it’s (sic) failures, and it’s (sic) awkward moments – is meant to be lived in the light of God’s acceptance.  The goal of our existence is not perfection but relationship” (p. 199).

If you are wondering if God can use you then you may find this book helpful.   (I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review).

Associate Pastor – Discipleship.  The Church at LifePark

Professor of Discipleship, Columbia International University

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