Do you ever ignore God? Pretend like He hasn’t answered your prayer for direction, when He clearly has, only you don’t want to do what he’s asking? I can honestly say this has been and currently is me. I’ve made excuses. I’ve told God, “you’ve got to be kidding me”. I’ve knowingly and willingly ignored where He has been leading.

Okay, I’m just gonna say it – I don’t like women’s ministry. Before you get all upset and think I’m being judgy, just read a bit further and allow me to explain. This probably won’t sense to some, but I’m also pretty confident I am not alone here.  For some time now God has been leading, you might even say calling to minister to and serve women coming up behind me in life. I have one thousand percent avoided and ignored His countless promptings. Why? The truth is that even though I am a woman, I don’t fit the mold or at least don’t think I fit the mold of what ladies in women’s ministry are like. Given a choice I will choose blue jeans, tennis shoes and a ball cap over getting dressed up and fancy – every single time! I don’t enjoy fancy foods, I’ll take a taco or burger, thank you very much. I’ve never paid to have my nails done, and I hate wearing dresses. I love football and baseball and would much rather play than watch any day. God made me a tomboy at heart! It’s taken me a whole lot of years to accept and embrace the way He created me. I no longer worry or feel guilty about not “fitting in” except when it comes to women’s ministry. I am 100% sure I am not the only woman who feels this way. 

Here’s the rub, for over a year I feel like God has been gently nudging me to become involved in women ministry. While I’ve gone to a couple of events, even volunteering at one, I did so out of obligation more than true desire or submission to God. Kind of testing the water before jumping in. I’ve made countless excuses and rationalized away the numerous prompts God has graciously given. But here I am, still dragging my feet even though I’m writing about it. Maybe I’ve been hoping God will change His mind?

Enter Malachi – The last time I dove into this book was right before I quit my full time big girl job. This short old testament book (prophecy) talks about giving God your best, not robbing him of what is rightfully His. Malachi calls us to give God our best and first. While the prophet is specifically speaking to priests about offerings, his message has so many more applications. The unfortunate truth is I have not been giving God my best. Because I’ve chosen to ignore and disregard His promptings. After all He has done for me, doesn’t He deserve my respect and obedience? Malachi 1:6 says “If I am a Father, where is my honor? And if I’m a master, where is your fear of me?” Honestly this is convicting on several levels. My life should lead others to follow Jesus, even when I don’t understand. 

Paul sums it up nicely in Romans 12:1-2 “ So here’s what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You’ll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you.” (MSG). 

Perhaps I’m not alone in trying to ignore God? Perhaps you too have been telling him “you’ve got the wrong girl or guy for the job”. What if we both took a step of faith and said yes to God, asking him to give us the courage and/or confidence we lack?