Exodus 13:17-22, 14, 15:1-18; Matthew 21:23-46; Psalms 26:1-12; Proverbs 6:16-19

“‘What do you think? There was a man who had two sons. He went to the first and said, “Son, go and work today in the vineyard.” “I will not,” he answered, but later he changed his mind and went. Then the father went to the other son and said the same thing. He answered, “I will, sir,” but he did not go. Which of the two did what his father wanted?’ ‘The first,’ they answered.” (Matthew 21:28-31 NIV)

Have you ever felt the Lord say that he wanted you to do something and your immediate response was, “nope!” I feel like the more common scenario is for us to have no idea what we are supposed to do and ask the Lord for direction, but what happens when we clearly feel the Lord’s calling in our life and we DON’T want to do what is asked of us?

Personally, I’ve usually felt this way when the Lord has asked me to do something out of my comfort zone. I’ve been asked to speak or lead prayer ministry in a few different settings, and while a part of me is always so excited to say yes to an opportunity the Lord has placed before me, a larger part wants to say no. It’s hard to find the emotional capacity to show up when you feel that you aren’t qualified, or that someone else would do a better job, or even that the people in attendance will judge what you have to say. It’s hard to say yes when your human emotions want you to say no and stay home. But we also know that when the Lord is asking us to do something, it doesn’t matter what people think, or even how we judge ourselves, it matters that we are doing exactly what he’s called us to do.

Maybe the Lord is calling you to step out of your box. Maybe He’s telling you to move on from a situation, but you don’t feel a clear plan on how to do that. Maybe He’s calling you to make a significant change that will take you out of your support systems or future goals. Do we trust that He knows best and He will guide us through the transition?

On the other hand, how much worse for us will it be to say yes to the Lord and then not follow through. Part of me wants to know how this is even possible, but then I remember the times when I have thought, ‘Yes, absolutely, I can do this!” before being absolutely rocked by fear, anxiety, doubts, and even anger. How many times have I said yes and then let fear consume me? I pray that I’ve followed the Lord’s leading, but none of us are perfect. It would be better for us to say, “wait please” to the Lord and work through our emotions before telling Him yes and possibly going back on our word.

Today I’d encourage you to think about if there is anything in your life you feel the Lord is calling you into–what are you feeling around the situation? Are you on the fence? Are you worried about what will happen if you say yes or no? The Lord’s guidance is perfect, so if you are feeling drawn into one thing or another, it’s time to lean in. But first process with the Lord your feelings and needs associated with what He is calling you into. If the directive is truly from the Lord, He will process your emotions with you and you will feel peace in saying yes. You may still not want to, but I promise one day, the Lord will give you a glimmer of why He called you to what He did. And when you step in fully to His plan, you will be blessed in ways you could never imagine. The Lord’s plan is perfect, and He knows how every second of your life ties into His overall plan to save humanity.