PRAISE & PRAYER PROMPT ••• About a year ago, I was asked to teach Sunday School on a rotation with a few others. My knee jerk reaction was a polite, “Thank you for asking, but no.” My internal reaction was more like, “Ain’t no way, nope, nada, absolutely not going to happen.”
But over a few months, the Holy Spirit would not let me be at peace with my answer. I finally gave up and begrudgingly called back and said I’d do it. I promised that I would likely stink at it, but I was finally willing to obey.
My first week teaching is absolute proof that God has a sense of humor. Our class was so packed beyond the normal attendance, they had to bring in additional chairs. I sat in my corner praying, “Really, God?!” while I anxiously chewed on peppermints to calm the nerves in my stomach.
And every time it’s my week to teach, I wonder why on earth He’s asked me to do this. It is not my cup of tea and every time I start working on my lesson, I am well-aware of how unqualified I am. Of course, I’m also unqualified to write a faith-based blog. I’m very, very aware that I am not a theologian. I never finished college, much less attended seminary. I’m terrified of getting something wrong… But at least I can do this from the comfort of my living room and pajamas without people watching me.
Stepping out of our comfort zone is never easy, but God does promise to equip us. In Hebrews 13:20-21, it says, “Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen” (ESV).
It’s a matter of trust. And God, in His graciousness, is reminding me of that. We may not understand why He calls us to do certain things. Maybe, like me, you have a mental game of tug-of-war constantly being played where one side of you says, “I can’t” while the other side says, “you will anyway.” But if He’s asked, we don’t have to know why. As God, He’s not obligated to explain Himself to us. But He’s well-within His right to expect our obedience.
In what ways is He asking you to obey outside of your comfort zone?
Today, as you pray, thank God that He is God and that His authority is worthy of our obedience. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you trust when He asks you to do something that you are afraid to do.
