Some people cannot yield themselves to the Lord because they think God may call them to serve in Africa or China or some other inhospitable environment. They may be afraid of losing their comforts or failing the Lord.
The good news is that the Lord prepares and equips us for whatever service he has in mind. God did not call Noah to build an ark the same day he first believed in God. Noah probably built up his faith with God for several hundred years first (Genesis 9:28-29).
Moses did not lead the children of Israel out of Egypt right away. The leadership job demanded humility, so God waited until Moses was eighty years old before he called him. He also gave Moses assurance with miracles.
God did not command Abraham to sacrifice his son on the mountain until Abraham’s faith had been strengthened over the previous time to trust God for the outcome.
Jesus’ disciples were trained around the clock for three and a half years before they started turning the world upside down with the message of the resurrection.
So it is with God’s servants everywhere. The missionary is first trained up to trust God and acquire certain skills and character traits. Not everyone put into God’s service will be a missionary, and that’s acceptable with God. There is no limit to the positions of service in God’s kingdom, and God has the perfect place for you. In that place, you’ll be able to say with Jesus, “My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work” (John 4:34).
What Do You Think?
a. What would you think of your three-year-old child if he was afraid to trust you because you might force him to carry the heavy trash cans to the curb? Wouldn’t you assign tasks to him that were age-appropriate? If you know to do this, don’t you think God would treat his children with the same consideration?
