According to an early church tradition, when Jesus’ followers were deciding their respective missions after His death, resurrection, and ascension, Thomas said he would go anywhere — except to India. Of course, there is strong indication that’s exactly where he went. He was neither the first nor last to tell God he would do anything “except” . . .
History and our own experiences are full of examples of God’s humor in this sort of thing. We tell Him what we won’t do and find years later that’s exactly what we’ve been called to do. And we — and surely God, too — laugh about it. We knew He was sovereign over the entire universe; He sometimes has to prove He’s sovereign even over our own wills.
Never take your “excepts” seriously. You can have your preferences, but God wants to have the entirety of your heart. He may not call you to go to your most dreaded place or ask you to do your most dreaded task, but He wants complete willingness. Those who submit their wills to Him find themselves guided generously and specifically into their unique assignment in life. And, as with Thomas, it’s a genuinely fruitful place.
