Never Too Hard for God

By Dean Collins

Many of you know that on July 1 I transitioned from a full-time role as the president of Point University to a part-time role as chancellor. During the last six weeks, the biggest thing that has changed for me is that I now have time to pray more, think more, and not feel the constant need to rush. As you know, I am still writing daily, and I have begun to imagine new ways that I can be a part of a community without being in charge of the community.

As certain memories come to mind, I am reflecting on them and will share them with you. The processing of these events is good for me and hopefully there will be tidbits of my past experiences that are helpful to you in your current moment. Here is a recent reflection on how I ended up as president of Point University.

It was probably around 2002, and I walked across the campus of Atlanta Christian College to drop off something my oldest daughter wanted for her dorm room. It was hot and not much was happening on the campus. I remember thinking, "I would never want to work here!" It appeared extremely boring and out of touch with the world.

Fast forward just a few years to March of 2006, when I was called by the chairman of the trustees and asked to serve as interim president of the college while they held a search for a new leader. Out of love for my alma mater and for friends who were trustees and professors there, I said, "Yes, but hurry with your search." I was asked if I was interested in being a candidate for the job and without hesitation I said, "Absolutely not." And I wasn't. I was quite happy as a small business owner of a consulting company. I thought to myself, I will do this while I serve my other clients. I also said to a friend, "How hard could it possibly be to run a small college?!"

Well, the answer is plenty hard! By far and away it was the hardest thing I've ever attempted, and it has gotten more difficult every year of the nearly 20 years I served. Some days were so hard that I told God I just didn’t think I could do this any longer. But time after time, God would intervene, and friends would call and encourage me and pray for me. I resisted my urge to turn in my resignation and walk away.

I will confess to a few pity parties with a few friends or family members who would allow a few minutes of that before asking me if I was finished complaining. I have written many times about the importance of being honest about your feelings before God and with trusted advisors, as well as with yourself. But we cannot trust our feelings as the best source of information when making decisions.

Scripture became a lifeline for me to keep my perspective. And one verse from the prophet Jeremiah helped me time and time again: "'Ah, Lord God! It is you who has made the heavens and the earth by your great power and by your outstretched arm! Nothing is too hard for you. “

I won’t list the many “too hard” things that seemed to happen at the same time, but I can tell you that I learned that while things felt too hard or too difficult for me, Jeremiah was right. Nothing is too hard or impossible for God. There were days when there wasn’t much to take to the bank in a financial sense, but slowly and steadily I learned that I can bank on the powerful promises of God’s word. 

I have learned another thing in my new stage of life. I am sure you already know this as well. As long as we have breath there will always be both new difficulties and new opportunities. And while they may be different than some of our previous problems or opportunities, we have the same loving God who promises to go before us and go with us until we see him face to face in eternity. Paul said it this way in Philippians:

“And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ."

God will bring us through the easy days and the hard days. That is his promise and our assurance: that while things are sometimes hard for us, they are never too hard for God!

Father, we often forget how many tough moments you have already gotten us through! Thank you for your faithfulness. Today, as we lean into the opportunities and challenges of this new day, we ask that you fill us with your Holy Spirit and grant us the wisdom, courage, and grace for whatever lies ahead. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Your Time with God’s Word
Jeremiah 32:17-19, 26-27 ESV

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