Have you ever walked into a social gathering or work meeting where you’ve felt incredibly intimidated? I know I have. More times than I’d like to admit.

I have looked around the room and thought to myself: What in the world am I doing here? Everyone else is dressed as if they stepped off a magazine cover. They are miles more eloquent than I am. They can talk intelligently about the G8 summit and the Paris fashion week all in the same breath. And they look like they got gel manicures just before they walked in.

I want to hide my chipped nails and shabby shoes under the table. I prefer to smile and nod and keep under the radar.

I find myself making my way to the most welcoming section of these unnerving venues: the buffet counter. I proceed to occupy myself with the delicious instead of the daunting. There’s typically nothing that a good piece of pie with a side of ice cream can’t fix.

In Scripture, we encounter someone with a less-than-stellar track record, someone who didn’t quite make it to Harvard, someone who wouldn’t know a manicure kit from a lawnmower.

The apostle Peter was a fisherman with high-strung emotions. He once jumped out of a boat to walk on water like his Rabbi. But he was overwhelmed by the wind and waves and began to sink.

There was another occasion when he followed Jesus to where He was being questioned. But he grew alarmed by a servant girl’s questions and denied any association with his Master.

If we were to give out grades, Peter probably wouldn’t make an A+. He had undeniable enthusiasm, but his follow-through needed some work.

But in the book of Acts, we meet a completely different Peter than the guy we sometimes encounter in the gospels.

When questioned by the Sanhedrin after he and John heal a crippled man, Peter speaks with authority and confidence. He is not intimidated by those around him— by their position, their PhDs, or their pomp. Instead, this man who denied Jesus three times says to this imposing group with unflinching clarity: It is by the name of Jesus Christ that the crippled man was healed.

While they don’t admit it, the members of the Sanhedrin are awestruck by Peter. “Who is this guy?” they ask each other. Here’s how Luke, the author of the book of Acts, records their reaction: “When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.” (Acts 4: 13).

Peter could have looked at his lack of education, his lack of social standing, and his past mistakes and said to himself: “I am unqualified for this. These guys are too smart and polished for the likes of a fisherman like me. I think I’ll pass.”

Yet, he depends on the Holy Spirit to speak through him. He understands that even though he may be unqualified, God did not disqualify him based on his credentials or pedigree.

This man who previously fumbled in his faith is now on fire for Jesus.

Friend, maybe you’ve glanced around the room, looked at your own qualifications and track record, and thought, “I can’t do this.” Maybe you think you don’t know the Bible enough or that you have messed up your witness. Maybe you think the people around you are too smart and your answers won’t match up to their questions.

He understands that even though he may be unqualified, God did not disqualify him based on his credentials or pedigree.

Maybe you think you’ve failed God too much to be fruitful for His kingdom.

But know that whatever God asks you to do, He equips you do to.

You may be unqualified for your calling, but that doesn’t disqualify you from your calling.

The members of the Sanhedrin were “astonished” by Peter and John’s boldness. They took note that these men had “been with Jesus.”

No matter how intimidating the venue or the crowd, may our witness be so bold that people will say that we too have been with Jesus. Friend, don’t write yourself off—God writes your story by making all things right again.

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