by Laura Krueger
Have you ever said you would never do something? Never is a powerful word. After finishing my bachelor’s degree in 1978 in business administration, I swore I would never get another degree. I was finished with papers and books.
Several years later–at the age of 61–I did something I promised myself I would never do. I completed my master’s degree. To advance in my career at a community college where I work and take on my dream job, I needed to take a big step and do something I said I wouldn’t.
My mother, a wise woman, gave me advice that has been a constant reminder to my siblings and me. “Never say never as it will always come back to haunt you.”
Never came back to haunt me
Mom would remind us of this whenever we said we could never do something. Well, once again my “never” came back to laugh at me when I started the journey to get my master’s degree!
As Christian women, what do we do that gets in our way of serving as God has called us?
Are the nevers in our lives getting in the way of serving God? What caused the nevers? Was it fear of the unknown?
Nevers come from fear
The nevers in my life have come from fear of what could happen if I let God take control.
What would happen if I was not in control of my life? It can be hard to let someone else be in charge if you have a personality like mine, one that requires being in charge of everything. I admit I can be a bit of a control freak.
In his song “Fear is a Liar,” contemporary Christian artist Zach Williams tells us to cast fear in the fire because fear is a liar that takes our breath away and stops us in our steps.
Just as Zach suggests, don’t let fear of the unknown cause you to let never lead you away from where God is calling you to be. What never in your life is getting in the way?
Open your heart, listen for God, then step out in faith and don’t allow fear to create another never. The feeling of giving up control to God is awesome. You will find yourself in some fantastic places doing some amazing work in God’s kingdom. God will blow your nevers out of the water, and fear won’t stand a chance.
What never will you give up? What is causing your fear? Let it go and find out what amazing experiences God has for you.
Laura Krueger is serving her first term on Woman of the ELCA’s executive board. She lives in Avondale, Ariz., and works at Scottsdale Community College. She’s served two terms as president of the Grand Canyon Synod Synodical Women’s Organization and is a member of Alleluia Lutheran Church, Phoenix, Ariz.
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