by Brother Matt Henson
“Will you take an old lady with you to Haiti?” This question was asked of me at an event several years ago after I shared about Living the Adventure Ministries’ mission ministry in Haiti. She felt the Lord calling her to travel to Haiti. She was in her early 70s and in good health. She did not believe her children would support her decision to travel internationally, and especially to a location where we would be sleeping on cots, using outhouses, and be far from a healthcare center. We agreed to pray for clarity of calling and for her children to receive her sense of calling with affirmation.
In Romans 12:2 we read, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God—what is good and acceptable and perfect.” We tend to limit God’s calling in our lives when we allow the world’s restrictions and our own perceived limitations to cloud God’s call. We use excuses like: “I’m too old.” Or “I don’t have enough education.” Or “There are people who would be better.” Each of these excuses has been used throughout history as excuses for not following the Lord or trusting the Lord to provide.
To know God’s will, we need to begin at surrender…at the place where God transforms our minds that are limiting us and keeping us from a full experience of His Will for our lives. When we are conformed to a pattern of limiting what is possible with God’s power at work in us, we are not fully who God called us to be. I enjoy Paul’s reminder in Ephesians 3:20, “Now to him who by the power at work within us is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine…”
Where is God calling you and you are making excuses? Have you surrendered your life to Jesus so that you can “discern what is the will of God” for your life?
Now for the rest of the story: The “old woman” (as she called herself), talked to her children who were affirming of her following where God was leading her. She traveled with me to Haiti and was a blessing to the village of Yvon.
Prayer: Lord, I surrender my will to your will. I no longer want to conform to the pattern of the world with its limiting excuses. I want to follow where you are leading me. Give me the courage and strength I need to follow. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
