Let me get something straight before I say anything: I’m not whining or wishing my career choice away. 😊 I am captivated by God’s call. There is nothing else I would rather do than what I am doing today: serving in overseas missions. It is an adventure. But, as with everything else in life, there are struggles that accompany this call. And today, I’m struggling, for the struggle is real.
When I felt the struggle in seasons past, especially early on in my walk with the Lord, I resisted it and complained. I complained about the difficulty of the call. Why can’t we get a break? Why was I chosen? Aren’t there others who are more qualified than I am?
But I have learned lessons along the way. Valuable lessons that have taught me that God does not do anything through us until He has first accomplished something in us. And once we surrender to His work in us, we can encourage others to do the same.
Kicking thorns and cans, the struggle is real
It’s better NOT to resist God’s work. In Acts 9:1-6, Paul (then known as Saul) was busy persecuting the church. He was on his way to Damascus, and Jesus decided it was time to get his attention. A bright light shone around him, and Jesus said (my paraphrase), “What do you think you’re doing?”
Jesus continued (again, my paraphrase), “You might as well kick thorns by resisting Me.” I find this comparison interesting, as Jesus wore the thorns for us. Resisting the work of God is like kicking the very thorns He wore on our behalf.
We can’t kick God’s work down the road like we kick rocks or soda cans. The thorns weren’t meant to hurt us; they were meant to heal us. When we resist, we keep that healing from flowing through our lives. May we honor His sacrifice in wearing the thorns by surrendering to His work.