You’ve always heard the phrase, ‘never say never.’ I think it is a very wise and applicable saying for anyone to consider. The person that coined that phrase obviously said never to something that turned out being a reality for him. Have you ever said, “I will never…,” to something?
I’ve been thinking about this a lot because I am surrounded by realities of something I either thought or actually said, “I will never do…” Sometimes I said these statements out of fear, others ignorance, and still others indifference. But I believe my God is a God that requires you to take on the tasks that you would NEVER do otherwise. I say ‘my God’ because I can provide multiple examples of this nature in my own life.
I have meditated on this thought for a while now. Why do we often say we do not want to do this or that, and this or that is actually what we are meant to do? Is it because the enemy knows what we are called to do, and he tries his hardest to prevent us from following the path? Does he introduce irrational fears into our minds to cause us to run from our God given destinies?
Or is it a part of our human nature to strive for only the things the world sees as successful, promising, or right? Is it our nature that sees anything that would not fit in these categories as unappealing?
No matter what is ‘in’ us causing us to withdraw from these things, God uses it for His glory. God is glorified when you submit a desire to His will or agree to an unwanted desire for Him. He is glorified when you face an irrational fear with the peace that transcends all understanding. He is glorified when you acknowledge that the thing you feared, turned out to be exactly what you were created for. It pleases Him for you to admit that He knows you better than you know yourself. He is after all your Creator, Father, Savior, and Lord.
So what did I say ‘never’ to that has caused me to think about these things? Well where should I start? I remember a scared teenage girl in 2006 saying to God, “I don’t want to be a foreign missionary, please don’t call me to be a missionary. Anything but that!” I was so afraid God would ask me to leave my country, my people, and my family to live in a 3rd world country. It took months of wrestling with that fear before I gave it to God. I can still remember the exact moment I submitted myself to that calling if it was His will. Do you know what I experienced after? PEACE. Of course it wasn’t until about 8 months ago that I knew for sure that was what God was calling me to.
You can also ask all of my colleagues and even some of my professors, I said multiple times, “I do not want to teach the younger elementary grades.” I prefer 4th-8th grade students. However, I am the Grade 1 teacher at this school. I am surrounded by 6 & 7 year olds every day, and I am thankful and humbled. Have you ever heard the prayers of a 6 year old? They are so innocent and full of faith. You can’t help but smile when you see them raising their hand high to pray for their friend who has a broken arm. Their prayers are filled with requests we would never think of. “God please let her surgery be fun,” or “when they bring the baby home, please God don’t let her cry on the plane.”
Or how about the time I said I would never work in a private Christian school. I could not think of a more encouraging atmosphere than a Christian school, made up of faculty whose priority is providing “quality, culturally sensitive education in a Christian environment which encourages the students to impact the world for God’s glory.” Our school is going through an accreditation process through the Association of Christian Schools International. The representative for Africa visited the school this week, and facilitated a couple of professional development sessions. He spoke of the movement going on in Africa through Christian schools. The leaders in African countries realize the significance of quality Christian education, and the fact that the most effective way to attack some of the problems in Africa, is to raise up a competent generation of children who have the compassionate heart of Jesus Christ, to reach the world and make a difference. Wow, what an honor, to be a part of a movement such as this!
I bet God chuckled when I made these, “I will never…” statements! I’m sure He was thinking, “Sweet Malisa, if only you knew what I have in store for you. It is immeasurably more than you could ever ask or imagine.” Of course it was more than I could imagine! I was closed off to it, and I was thinking in the ways of man, not in the ways of God.
In Isaiah 55, God says, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways. As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.”
My word of encouragement to you is to think about the things that you will never do! Why won’t you do them? Are you afraid? Is it not wise? Is it not financially appealing? Maybe you are closed off to the ways of God, and are at a risk of missing what He has in store for you. Take it from someone who is thankful that she did not close herself off to the plans of God. You too will be blessed “immeasurably more than you could ever ask or imagine.”
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