I never knew I wanted to teach Sunday School.

We think we know ourselves, but sometimes God can, even still, shape our desires.

Isaiah 64:8 says: “And yet, O Lord, you are our Father. We are the clay, and you are the potter.”

After we had been attending our new church for a while (check out my post on finding the church here: When People Leave) they held a special ‘move-up Sunday.’ During that annual service, the congregation would pray over the new Sunday School teachers to bless them for the upcoming year. The students would then find their new teacher for the upcoming grade.

As I stood there prayng for the teachers, I had a sudden desire to be one of those teachers standing up there.

I thought, I wish that were me up there.

I wasn't sure why I even thought that. Did I want the recognition they were getting? Was I being selfish? Maybe I just loved working with children? Did God give me the gift of teaching? How could I even get to be a Sunday School teacher?

I was surprised by all these sudden feelings. Has God ever impressed something upon your heart that wasn't there before?

Psalm 139:23-24: “Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”

I didn't know why I had that desire, so I left it alone.

A couple weeks later, I got a phone call.

The children's pastor asked me if I would consider teaching Sunday School.

Then it all made sense.

God was preparing my heart for that phone call.

And then, He opened the door

I said yes immediately and knew without a doubt that He had ordained that.

Psalm 37:4: “Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you your heart’s desires.”

God didn't want me to feel obligated to teach Sunday School because I was asked.

He didn't want me to selfishly want human recognition.

He didn't want me to wonder if I was capable of doing what He was calling me to do.

He wanted me to have the desire, be blessed by doing what He was calling me to do, and realize that He is the one that called me to do it.

Sometimes God prepares us for His answer before we even know what He’s about to ask of us. He can place a desire in our hearts, open the door at exactly the right time, and then allow us to look back and recognize His hand in both.

If you’re at a crossroads, seek God. Ask Him, not only to show you which way to go, but to shape your heart to desire what He has for you. Sometimes His providence begins before the opportunity ever appears.

God's way is always better!

Check out this song: https://share.google/v5UWQRkE85st5CKor