The Lord works out everything for his own ends. (Proverbs 16:4a)

Mike Murdock, a contemporary Christian writer, singer and pastor says, “Thousands will fail in life because they are unwilling to make changes. They refuse to change jobs, towns, or friendships. They stay in comfort zones. Yet, thousands of others move up the ladder of happiness because they are willing to go through a little discomfort to experience a new level in life.”

There’s an amazing story in the Old Testament that speaks to the quote above. During a great famine throughout the land, a widow was down to her last meal, as death loomed in the foreground. Motivated by Elijah the prophet, she was to make two small breadcakes – one for the prophet and one for her and her son. She was to trust in the Word of the Lord that her last remaining portion of food would not run dry during the famine. The Bible tells us because “she went away and did as Elijah had told her,” she would see God’s miracle: her jar of flour and jug of oil would never run empty until the day the Lord would send rain on the land (1 Kings 17:14-15). Such a faithful widow servant – unwilling to remain in her comfort zone – unwilling to hoard her very last meal. Rather, she was willing to keep an open heart unto God – make changes and willing to do something she had never done before, even when it didn’t make sense – she obeyed!

A wisdom principle I have incorporated into my thinking when I’m challenged by life’s obstacles or needing to grow my faith is, “When you want something you have never had, you have to do something you have never done.”

Let me illustrate this wisdom principle with a few stories from Scripture:

The Apostle Peter wanted to walk on water…Jesus told him to step out onto the waves (Matthew 14:29). Peter did something he had never done before…he walked on water!

God told the Israelites to march around Jericho for six days and to make NO noise. On the seventh day they were told to circle the city two times and at the appointed time give a shout unto the Lord and the walls would come down. They did what they had never done before…and the walls fell (Joshua 6)!

Naaman, a commander of the army of the king of Aram, wanted to be healed of his leprosy. When asking Elisha, the prophet, what he needed to do to remove his leprosy, he became angered upon receiving the prophet’s response. It seemed too simple a task. Again, he asked how to be healed and he received the same response, only this time, he obeyed, and dipped in the Jordan River seven times. Upon coming out of the water on the seventh dip the Bible tells us his flesh was restored, and he was cleansed from his leprosy (2 Kings 5:1-15). Naaman did something he had never done before…and he was healed!

When you want something you have never had, you have to do something you have never done before!

You see, Jesus knows right where you are. He knows your every need, your every hurt, your weaknesses and strengths. He knows what changes are needed to stretch your faith and cause you to look up to him in your moment of fear. He knows what will challenge your humility in your moment of pride. Don’t be afraid to seek what God wants for you…it always will draw you closer to Him (James 4:7). Remember, the Lord works out everything for His own ends.

Early in my ministry, during one of my first counseling sessions, I had a mother who called me as I was serving as a pastor at Teen Challenge in Riverside and fresh out of Bible College. She wanted to know if I could meet with her and her daughter. Upon their arrival and entering my office, her teenage daughter immediately took her chair and moved it six to eight feet away from where her mother was about to sit. Instantly, I knew it was going to be a long session – or maybe – a very short one!

I felt for this mother, who, sobbing and unable to speak, sat there while her daughter refused to dialog, let alone make eye contact. I recall sitting back, nonchalantly bowing my head, and silently praying for the Lord to show me how to intervene into the lives of these two who were so close, yet, so far away.

Fifteen minutes passed easily. Looking up and zeroing in on the mother, I said to her, “I’ll only ask this one question and because you are the mother, I’m asking you first. When is the last time you told your daughter, you loved her?” With intense sobbing she said, “I don’t remember.” I told her she had to listen to what I was about to ask her to do and she needed to do it right then. She had to tell her daughter, “I love you.” I told her daughter she had to look at her mother in her eyes when she spoke to her. There was great silence – the kind that was so emotionally painful and uncomfortable you could feel it.

The mother’s trembling voice came forth as her eyes searched for her daughter’s and the words were spoken, “I love you.” It was like Jesus calling forth Lazarus from the grave…much weeping and waiting for the miraculous to happen. I then asked the daughter to reciprocate with the same words and action. Without a doubt, what happened next was the Lord’s intervention…it had nothing to do with me. His “Spirit of power and of love” was unleashed. It was something they both wanted so badly but they needed to do something they hadn’t done before. Whether it was Peter walking inexplicably above the tumultuous waves, the walls of Jericho falling, or the healing in the Jordan waters, this moment in time for me was comparable in nature as I looked on with amazement. I realized I had to trust and believe the Lord works out everything for His own ends.

As instantly as eyes connected and the words, I love you, were apprehensively released, this young teenage girl’s heart was immediately softened as she sprang from her chair into the arms of her mother. I burst out in tears – I had never seen such a transformation transpire with such instantaneous power. What seemed dead and void of relationship became a caressing of love and longing of hearts. I love Jesus and how He works in those hearts of stone turned to flesh (Ezekiel 36:26) where the Spirit of God resides.

I silently left the room and returned a half hour later. What I found was exhilarating to my heart – mother and daughter sitting side by side holding hands, shedding tears. Jesus knows, when you want something you have never had, you have to do something you have never done before! I reminded them of their faith in Jesus that afternoon and directed them to a nearby church. We kept in touch over the years with much joy.

So now, may I ask, what is it you need to do that you’ve never done before? We must ask, where do I stand when it comes to making changes in my life? Am I willing to change things that need to be changed or get out of my comfort zone to experience God’s plan for my life? We need to desire a greater faith – a “greater grace” (James 4:6) in our life that allows us to carry out His will with zeal and power from above. This greater grace is unlike anything ever experienced! It’s receiving the power from God that enables us to make unbelievable changes to his glory. Call on Jesus for strength and the motivation to move closer to him as you, “Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed. The Lord works out everything for His own ends – (Proverbs 16:3-4a).