Overqualified - March 13,
2001
Here's a situation I bet has either happened to you or
to someone you know. You go in for a job interview with a
new company, everything goes smoothly, you think they may
even have a slight inkling of how truly wonderful you
are. Then a few days later here comes the much awaited
letter telling you that even though you are an
exceptional person you don't get the job because you are
... overqualified. Wow, that stinks. If only you had
acted a little dumber. Maybe if you had buttoned your
shirt wrong or left your zipper down??? There is a person
in the Bible who fits the description of overqualified.
Can you guess who? The answer may surprise you.
Acts 7:22 tells us that "Moses was educated in all the
wisdom of the Egyptians and was powerful in speech and
action." The Egyptians were the most advanced people on
the earth at this time. They made landmark discoveries in
science, mathematics, architecture, medicine and many
other areas of study. Moses was raised in the palace as
Pharaoh's son, so his education must have been second to
none. Furthermore, we see that his classes paid off for
he was powerful in speech and action. And yet, how did he
spend forty prime years of his life? Sheep keeping. I'm
not implying that being a shepherd is an easy job, but it
doesn't take a rocket scientist (or maybe pyramid
scientist) to do it. I'm sure there were many days Moses
felt overqualified. But in God's eyes, was he?
Moses' early palace years were a must for the job God
had in mind. Who else would be able to talk to Pharaoh
face to face to ask for Israel's freedom. I don't think
too many desert shepherds would have gotten past the
first set of guards. God knew the requirements Moses
would need for his exodus job over forty years before
Moses even had a clue. Overqualified? Not for God's
work.
Maybe you feel the job God has you doing now doesn't
use your talents, skills, knowledge or experience. It
could be that God still has you watching sheep. Don't
forget, Moses became the servant God could use out there
with the flock. He learned character lessons Egypt could
never teach. It was all part of the training for the
larger work God had in store. Be faithful and diligent no
matter what job God has called you to. You may be just
moments away from hearing God say, "Well done, good and
faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few
things; I will put you in charge of many things."
