Who Are We To Say No?

Blog One: Callings

Opening question: In what places in your life are you resistant to God’s plan? What good might come out of your surrender to God’s perfect plan?

Bible Verse: Proverbs 16:9

"The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps."

Now on to the blog

Did your parents ever say to you “no is not an option” when you were a kid? Mine definitely did. It used to make me so mad. I am beginning to realize that when they told me “no is not an option”, they had a reason. A reason that I normally didn’t understand, because I was just a kid. Their resistance to my no was because they knew what was best for me. They knew what was most beneficial, what I needed. Even better than I did.

As I’m getting older and realizing these things, I still often say no to God. Even though He knows me better than I know myself. About 8 months ago, I figured out that my family might have to move. I knew it was the right thing, but I had resistance to it. I didn’t understand what good could come from moving, I didn’t understand what God’s plan had in store. I said no to God. I adamantly didn’t want to go- I wasn’t willing. Yet, that move worked out in the exact way it was meant to.

God didn’t stop moving because of my no.

I forgot the power of My God. The God who set the stars in their place, the God who creates light from the darkness. The God who rose from the dead and has the power to save. The God who created me, and has a purpose for me. Who are we to say no to God? Who are we to stick our heels in the ground and insist our way is better than His?

Where do you find yourself in your life, crossing your arms, sticking your heels in the ground, resisting to move in the ways God is calling you to?

Where do you find yourself saying no to God because of your fear that things won’t go well, that there is nothing good in store? I challenge you to look at those places in your life and remember the kind of God you serve, and what plans he may have in store for you. Our “no'' won't stop God from moving, so instead let's lean into saying “yes” and step into God's perfect plan.

Prayer:

We often think we can say no to God.

That we know what's best for us, and that our plan is perfect.

We resist, resist, and resist again the plan of Jesus.

The truth is, the world around us doesn’t stop moving when we say no.

God's plan won’t stop prevailing when we say no.

God, please help us step into your plan, surrender, and say yes.

Amen