Do not do anything to him. Now I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son. Genesis 22:12
I was in love.
On our third date I asked her to marry me. I knew it was God’s will, and I was ready to settle down with someone and have a family. My fiancé was someone I could see spending the rest of my life with. I didn’t have to explain myself to her, and she filled a part of me that I didn’t even know existed.
There was one little hitch. We both had disabilities that created a whole new set of challenges. We needed a place big enough for two chairs and medical equipment. How would we support ourselves? My disability didn’t allow me to work full-time, and I’d lose all my benefits if I got married. My fiance had a job, but it didn’t meet our budget. We could be done for.
Despite the obstacles, I felt an overwhelming feeling God was in this situation. He’d brought us together, blessed our relationship, and would make things work. We planned the wedding, searched for housing, and looked toward our future together. Friends thought I was crazy. “You’re risking everything,” they said. But I trusted God would provide.
Eventually, our differences were too big to overcome and our relationship ended. How could God do this to me? Did I really hear His voice or was I wrapped up in my own desire to be married?
The truth lies somewhere in the middle. God tested Abraham by telling him to sacrifice his son. Abraham was obedient and prepared Isaac as a sacrifice. But God stopped him. “Now I know you won’t hold anything back from me,” he told Abraham. Abraham held nothing back.
God may have indeed asked me to marry, but He pulled me back from giving up everything. My love for Him was tested and that same love brought me to the brink of life-changing decisions.
Is God asking you to do something difficult? Do you love him enough to give it all up? Be careful and be sure God wants you to follow through. He just might be asking how much you love him and stop you before you give it all up.
Tait Berge is the Church Relations Director at Mephibosheth Ministry. He lives in Colorado Springs and has a Bachelors degree in Leadership and Ethics. He has written two books and has been published in the Quiet Hour. When not working, Tait enjoys sports, especially hockey and golf. His website is Taitberge.com and he can be reached at tait@taitberge.com.
Read Tait’s devotions.
