I have three kids of my own and we have helped to raise three others in our home as foster children. If you’ve ever been around kids, you know they ask some crazy questions. Like, Can I have a unicorn? Well, maybe not that crazy. More like, Can I have my own room? A car? or My ears pierced?And parents are really good at saying no to such requests without actually saying no. We respond with something like:
“We’ll see.”
“I’ll think about it.”
“Ask your mother.”
Christians do the same thing; it just sounds a little different. We’ll leave it up to God and say we’ll do it, “If it’s God’s will,” or “If the Lord provides.” But the classic is, ”I’ll pray about it.”
As a pastor and campus minister, I heard it frequently. Sometimes it was genuine. Someone was genuinely praying about God’s specific will for them in the circumstance. Someone was genuinely praying for God’s provision so that they could go or give. Or they were genuinely praying for wisdom or direction on a matter.
But too often, I’m afraid, it was just a way to delay or avoid saying no. It was a way to avoid confrontation. Many times we already know what God wants for us, we’re just unwilling to do it (see my post on clarity). To admit that would seem less spiritual—less Christian.
James 1:5 says, if you don’t know what God wants from you, “If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.” If you’re unsure on a matter, then commit it to prayer, ask God for wisdom on how you should proceed.
Don’t go to prayer if you’ve already decided. If your mind is made up—one way or another—then just give your answer. Yes or no.
If you’re answer is no, then just say no. I’m not going on that mission. I can’t or won’t support your ministry. I’m not going to help. I’m not available. I don’t want to. I’m busy. I’m tired. I’m scared. I disagree.
Because, here’s the deal: if you ask for direction, God will give it to you (perhaps again). He may say go. He may say give. He may say serve. Now. Whether you want to or not. Find time. Don’t be afraid. I am with you.
But if no is your answer, then give it. Or, if you say you’re going to pray about it, and if you really do—if you really ask God for wisdom in the matter—he may just change your mind. He may just change your direction.
In what area of your life have you been resisting God’s will?
