Have you ever been asked to do something you just didn’t want to do? Something that made you wonder, “Why me? Why not someone else?”
I remember my senior year of high school when our basketball coach called a sudden meeting in the gym. We were all confused. This had never happened before. When he walked in smiling, we knew something was going on. Then he told us the track team had a meet, but they didn’t have enough runners. So, he asked us, his basketball players, to help out and join the track team.
Why? Because the more people who participated, the more points the team could earn. Every runner added value. Even if we didn’t win, our participation itself could help lead to victory.
I laughed on the inside. I was a basketball player, not a runner. Still, somehow, he convinced all of us. And me? He had me running the 300.
Let me tell you, I wanted no part of it. I made every excuse. “That’s not my gift.” “I’ve never done that.” “Someone else is better.” Sound familiar?
But despite my resistance, there I was, standing on the track. I looked around at the other runners stretching, confident. I knew I didn’t belong. But when the starter pistol fired, I ran, hard. Not because I was trained, but because I hated losing. And when the race ended, I came in second. Or so I thought.
The coach approached and said, “You won. The runner ahead of you stepped into your lane. The victory is yours.”
It wasn’t skill that gave me the win. It was grace. It was alignment. It was God showing me something greater than the race. He was teaching me about purpose.
Sometimes, God will call you to do something that makes no sense to you. You’ll look around and say, “Why me? I’m not the right one.” You’ll try to hand off the assignment to someone who looks more qualified, more confident, more spiritual. But God isn’t looking for the most talented, He’s looking for the most surrendered.
Jonah tried to run from his assignment. God said, “Go to Nineveh.” Jonah said, “I’d rather not,” and went the opposite way. But God didn’t change His mind. He redirected Jonah. Even when Jonah was in the belly of a fish, God still preserved him and brought him back to the mission. Why? Because God’s purposes don’t depend on our comfort, they depend on our surrender.
Moses said, “I can’t speak well.” But God replied, “Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say” (Exodus 4:12).
Jeremiah said, “I’m too young,” and God said, “Do not say ‘I am too young.’ You must go to everyone I send you to” (Jeremiah 1:7).
Gideon said, “I’m the least of my tribe,” but God called him “mighty warrior” and used him to defeat an entire army with just 300 men (Judges 6).
You see, the very thing you’re running from may be the very thing that brings God the most glory. It’s not about whether you feel qualified, it’s about who is calling you. And when God calls you, He equips you. He goes with you. He works through you.
Stop measuring your worth by your ability. Start measuring it by your availability to God.
The track meet wasn’t about how fast I could run. It was about showing up, doing what I could, and trusting the outcome. The coach saw something in me I didn’t see in myself. How much more does God see in you?
There are people, places, and divine moments assigned to your obedience. You may not understand how it will all work out, but God does. And He’s not asking you to figure it all out. He’s asking you to trust Him.
Don’t be like Jonah, trying to run from the call. The truth is—you can’t outrun God. He’s everywhere, He knows everything, and the victory is already prepared. All He’s waiting for is your yes.
You are not a mistake. You haven’t been overlooked. You are chosen by God, assigned with purpose, and deeply needed. Every step of obedience you take moves God’s Kingdom forward.It's not about trying to prove yourself, it's about bringing God glory by simply living out the purpose He gave you.
So... what are you running from?
Or better yet, what are you running toward?
Let’s pray:
Father, in the name of Jesus, we thank You for being patient with us, even when we’ve tried to run. Thank You for being a God who pursues us, redeems us, and still calls us by name. Forgive us for every excuse, every moment we’ve doubted Your assignment. Today, we surrender. We give You our yes. Not because we’re strong, but because You are. Fill us with courage. Remind us that obedience to You brings glory to Your name and purpose to our lives. Use us, Lord. And let Your will be done.
In Jesus’ mighty name. Amen.
“To Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever! Amen." (Ephesians 3:20–21)
