Arguing With God

By

B.J. Knefley

Have you ever argued with God? I have, numerous times, but it didn’t help. Some might say that we shouldn’t argue with God. I don’t know if that’s true. In a sense Christ argued with God in the Garden of Gethsemane. If not argued, at least questioned. Moses argued with God about his leading the people out of Egypt. But it didn’t work. God still won in the end.

Why do we argue with God? Is it because we believe our argument or are we just trying to get out of doing something? That seems to be the case with Moses. He stated all the reasons why he wasn’t the man for the job. God still insisted. Do we argue because we’re afraid? Or is it that we don’t feel adequate for the assignment? I remember a saying from years ago that went like this, “God can enable the unable, but not the unwilling”.

I’ve wondered at times if God is simply after our willingness. Perhaps like wanting my children to be willing. Willing to take risks or to step outside their comfort zones. Remember trying to get them to jump off the diving board or just the side of the pool and into your arms? Why do we all have such a difficult time letting go of what’s familiar to take the plunge into the unknown?

Trust me, I am not good at this. I, like the rest, bulk at God’s prompting to take a risk and step out of my comfort zone. Although I don’t mind change, I don’t like change that I’m not in charge of. Taking risks is easy when I’m in control, but God isn’t interested in our control but rather our trusting in His abilities. I guess that’s why it’s called faith. Faith in what can’t be seen or touched.

In the places where God has called people to follow him into the unknown or to go in new places, he always gives the promise that He’ll be with them. You’d think that with that kind of promise we wouldn’t bulk, but we do. When He’s called us to not be afraid because He’s with us, why do we still hesitate? Is it because with all our words about faith and trust, we don’t? Think about it.