God Prepares The Called

For Men Who Still Feel the Dirt on Their Hands

Scripture Anchor

“Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips… for my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts!” Then one of the seraphim flew to me… and touched my mouth and said: ‘Behold… your guilt is taken away, and your sin atoned for.’”

— Isaiah 6:5–7 (ESV)

“But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, ‘Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord.’ … And Jesus said… ‘Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men.’”

— Luke 5:8–10 (ESV)

Body

There’s this weight I’ve been carrying lately. Not the kind that comes from failure. I know that weight. This one’s different. Heavier. It doesn’t crush—it pulls. Like a rope tied around your chest, yanking toward something you don’t feel ready for. It’s a calling.

But I don’t feel qualified. Not even close.

I’ve got sin in my life. Not the kind you brag about leaving behind. The kind that still drags its claws across your thoughts when no one’s looking. So I tell myself I need more time. That God can’t possibly want this version of me. I’ll answer once I’ve cleaned up. Once I’ve killed it for good.

But that day never seems to come.

And somewhere in that cycle, the lie sets in:
“God only uses men who’ve earned it.”
“If I were really called, I wouldn’t still be wrestling with this.”
“Being called must mean I’m supposed to be holy, righteous, and spiritual—more than I am.”

But that’s not how God works.

He called Jeremiah when he was terrified.
He called Isaiah when his mouth was still unclean.
He called Peter when he was still impulsive, proud, and ready to deny.

None of them were ready.
But they were His.
And maybe that’s the point.

God’s not looking for polish. He’s looking for possession.
He calls you first—and then He prepares you in the fire of obedience. Not before.

So if the weight’s already on you, don’t wait until you feel clean. Step forward. Limping if you have to. Because He doesn’t build leaders from perfect resumes. He builds them from surrendered men who can’t escape the call.

Gut Check

• Have you confused being clean with being called?

• Are you postponing obedience until you feel holy enough to carry it?

• Is your fear of failure louder than God’s command to go?

Prayer

Father,

I’ve spent too long trying to feel ready.

Too long trying to outrun the parts of me that still feel filthy.

But Yo called me anyway. You haven’t let go. So I won’t either.

I won’t wait until I’m spotless to obey.

I won’t bury the weight You’ve put on me just because I don’t feel strong enough to carry it.

Scrape off what needs to go. Burn off what doesn’t belong.

And prepare me as I follow—not before I start.

In Jesus’ name,

Amen.