Recently I heard of a truly Godly woman who had the opportunity to go on a medical mission. For reasons unknown, she felt as though God was telling her to wait for another time. She couldn’t understand why. She trust God and passed on the opportunity for the moment. About a month in to what would have been her three month medical mission trip, a sister in Christ was in major need of a place to live. The woman had the space and offered her a place to stay as long as she needed. Both look back on that time now as a major season of God’s provision.
God said no to the mission for a greater need neither of them knew would happen. The woman had the same opportunity recently, felt no reason to say no, and just got back earlier this year from an absolutely incredible experience!
I believe there are decisions where Christians need to hear directly from God before proceeding. For the most part, however, God has told us what He wants and how He wants us to behave in His Word. He expects us to love Him and love people. He expects that we tell others about Him. He expects us to care for those who are in need. He expects us to serve. He expects us to pursue holiness, to chase after Him and become more like Him every day. He expects us to avoid sin, to confess when we mess up and ask for forgiveness. He expects we make restitution before Himself and others. He expects us to live in this world, in the mess of this world, without being a part of this world.
Each of these expectations is clearly laid out in scripture. (Leviticus 6:5; Matthew 5:23-24; Matthew 6:1-4; Matthew 22:37-40; Matthew 25:31-40; James 1:27; 1 Timothy 5:3; 1 Peter 1:16)
Please don’t get me wrong, we absolutely need to involve God in every aspect of our lives and seek His blessing in all we do. However, I firmly believe, when it comes to serving others and doing what God’s Word has already told us to do, the best answer is YES! It may not be easy, there may be obstacles in your way, but if God’s Word has told you to do something, you better do it.
It may not make sense to the world. There may be an easier way to do it from your perspective. Ultimately, however, God has a reason and we must trust His Word. We must trust Him, trust He knows best, trust He has our best interest in mind, trust He will provide the strength and the resources needed. We must trust that God has a plan.
He does and it’s phenomenal!!
When faced with an opportunity to serve God and others, say yes. Yes to serving and loving others. Yes to going on the mission trip. Yes to helping your neighbor. Yes to volunteering. Yes to what God has already asked us to do. Seek God and ask if there is a reason you should stay. There are certainly times God calls us to stay and I believe God will release you from going when that is His plan. He may tell you not now, or not in this way. He will never tell you not to serve.