August 2026 Mission Musings

When God Says No

“Some no’s are in consideration of the people God will use you to save.” ~Jackie Hill Perry

God is so kind to us, granting divine appointments to reveal more of Himself.

A divine appointment in Oregon gifted me with a friend who is a spiritual encourager. A few weeks ago, she sent me a sermon: powerful word after powerful word, but this one line stopped me in my tracks. 

A no from the Lord in consideration of the people…That no for me was after relentless requests to move us west. I couldn’t understand it at the time. But as I sat in my vehicle and heard those words, I was drowned in a Word from the Lord.

He asked me to consider M3, to think of how His no has changed me deeply, intimately, to the core of my bones. I am not the same person I was seven years ago, or even seven days ago. He’s so kind to keep meeting me-divine appointments.

In the moment after He asked me to peer deep into my heart, He led me on a vision tour of sorts to consider others in M3. Teachers whose lives have been changed. Students. Moms. Dads. Others.

I would love to testify that all M3 things have been without regret, but I cannot. I have made poor decisions along the way. I have hurt people, too many people.

Another Divine Appointment. Where He is so kind, to grant forgiveness, grace, truth, love. To meet me again, to reveal Himself, to ask me to keep saying yes to Him, even if He says no.

The invitation is yours too. “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.” Revelation 3:20

Abba, I pray over every person who reads this Word. I pray they will see that some no’s are for our best because they lead us straight into Your arms. I pray we will arise each day and say yes to a divine appointment even as the no’s are hard to understand.