God Guides Our Path
“Give me wisdom and knowledge, that I may lead this people, for who is able to govern this great people of yours?” -- 2 Chronicles 1:10
Have you ever been in over your head? Has God ever called you to do something that you knew you weren’t qualified to do? Yeah. I’ve been a member of that club too. It’s totally scary. But I’ve found that following Solomon’s lead really does work.
Many years ago I was asked to take over the Children’s Church program at the church I was attending. I thought the preacher was kidding when he asked me. Really. I did. I don’t have children and I’m not a teacher. Who could possibly be less likely to teach a group of children aged three to five?
The truth was that I wasn’t the committee’s first choice or even the second or third. They couldn’t get anyone else to do it and I seemed gullible enough to take it on. I prayed about it and felt certain that God was telling me to do it. So I said yes.
All was well until the next Sunday morning. The thought of facing all those children -- alone -- was terrifying. I didn’t have a clue what I was supposed to do. Oh, I had a lesson and a craft but there’s a whole lot more to teaching small children than having a plan. Even I knew that much.
I hit my knees in prayer. And I laid it all before God and on God. He had gotten me into the situation and I firmly expected Him to save me. And the children. Really. I told Him that. You know the wonderful thing about God? He doesn’t get mad when you demand that He do what He said He‘d do anyway. In fact, He probably chuckled at my near hysteria. Because I don’t believe God had any intention of leaving me on my own. He just wanted me to cry out to Him for help.
God ‘s help came in the form of a wonderful retired teacher who is incredibly gifted with small children. She was in our Sunday School classroom when I walked in that morning. I just knew God had sent her to help me. Of course, I told her right away. How could she argue with that?
God doesn’t throw us in to the deep end and then let us drown. He throws us in to the deep end so that we can learn that with His help we can do anything He calls us to do. We can cry out to Him and He will reach out His hand and save us. Just like Jesus calmed the sea, God will calm whatever storm of life threatens to overwhelm us.
It’s so easy to say no to something because we’re afraid. But when God calls you to do something, no matter how far beyond your comfort level it is, He will guide you and help you. Follow His plan and you‘ll likely discover things about yourself that you never knew. He really does know what He’s doing.
Oh and just a follow up on my Children’s Church days: I actually turned out to really love it. I held that volunteer position for several years. Now I teach adult Sunday School and, yes, God is still holding my hand and leading me every step of the way.
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