If you’re thinking about questioning God’s call, read this story again
By Dean Collins
Many times over the last 17 years I have received phone calls or e-mails from students, parents, or community members with questions about something specific: a technical financial aid question, a particular class syllabus, and even a son or daughter’s playing time on one of our teams. I’m flattered that people think I would know every detail about every aspect of the university. Yes, I understand I’m the president, but as hard as I might try, I simply don’t know everything. Unless your company, nonprofit, or church has only one or two members and does only one or two things, your leader is likely in the same boat.
I’m here, but am I willing?
I guess Ananias thought that might be the case with God. After all, God has a big job. There’s keeping the earth on her axis, answering millions of prayer requests, and helping the humble who seek him discover new life. I assume Ananias was a good guy since God tapped him for this important assignment. Ananias, of course, gave the right answer to God’s call: “Here I am, Lord.” When God taps you with an assignment that’s a good answer to give.
But the problem with “Here I am, Lord” is that it implies one’s willingness to do what God asks one to do. Here is where things can get a little tricky. Sometimes God asks us to do things that make no sense to us. In every one of my job assignments, I never felt qualified. Sometimes it seemed that, based on my age, my lack of experience, or my limited understanding of the industry, it was laughable that I was asked to lead. And in all of those cases, it wouldn’t have been hard to find someone who would verify those realities. Yet God had another plan for me. And like Ananias, I have often tried to explain to God what he might not have known about me or others.
Ananias was told by God to go to a street called Straight and tell a self-righteous murderer that he was being called by God to be a missionary and an apostle. Clearly, God doesn’t understand talent acquisition or management. Saul did not qualify based on his past experiences. I will concede that he seemed to be achievement oriented, but he certainly didn’t display humility or servant leadership, which, best as I can understand, are basics if you are going to work for God.
Got that right, God?
Ananias tried to explain this to God, but God simply repeated the assignment back to him to make sure he understood. It seems that often in our communications with God one of us lacks understanding. I’m guessing you would agree which one it is.
But what do you know? God was right and Ananias was wrong. When Ananias humbly and undoubtedly nervously obeyed God’s instructions, he witnessed a miracle of transformation. Scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and his life, along with his purpose, was changed for eternity. Apparently even murderers can find forgiveness and be used by God.
It’s okay if you feel like you need to educate God the next time he gives you an assignment. But I would recommend that after you tell him everything you think he needs to understand, then go ahead and do what he asked you to do. You might just be witness to another of God’s transformational miracles!
Your time with God’s Word
Acts 9:10-19 ESV
This post is adapted from one that appeared here October 26, 2020.
Photos by Ilias Chebbi on Unsplash
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