Be still, and know that I am God.
Obedience to God takes more than faith and trust
When I was expecting my daughter in 2012, it was a turbulent season for my family. An uncertain future, heavy decisions weighing on our shoulders, risks ready for the plunge, and a tremendous dose of faith comprised our daily lives. How many times did I weep alone? I couldn’t give you a definitive number.
We settled on selling our home. I ended my search for work outside the home and by the grace of God, was convicted to homeschool—all while welcoming a new baby into our family. We even left our church due to some disastrous pragmatic decisions the leadership was delegating. God shined a light on it all, so it was a clear decision for us to transition.
Today, now 5 years later, we’re nearer to God as a family.
We’re closer to each other. The children are actively learning their studies, we’re drawing ourselves closer to new friends that are sharpening our faith. God has provided a side business for our home economy and we’ve found an online literary magazine. Our children are healthy, endearing, and have blessed us in mighty ways.
What could be better than that?
Obedience to God takes more than faith and trust in the God who can. It takes tears, muscle, thick skin, rejection, confusion, errors, and loss.
But the gain is immense in return.
Who wouldn’t want to fully surrender to God when the storms rage? Who would want to live to doubt whether or not they are in God’s will? Who would want to have a faith planted on the shaky ground?
Lord, help me to surrender daily to you. Help me see the eternal value of a life lived for you and not one lived by man’s standards. Help me draw near to You first and foremost.
Glad you made it through the times and can look back on it now. Thanks for sharing. FMF #8
Thank you, Karen. So glad God showed us the direction and He continues to lead the way through…
This is lovely, Erendira, and you’ve so gracefully pointed out the road that takes one beyond faith and trust, to the necessity of action and the calling to resilience.
#1 at FMF this week.
https://blessed-are-the-pure-of-heart.blogspot.com/2017/11/your-dying-spouse-412-ugly-fmf.html
Thank you, Andrew, for your perspective. We need to act out our faith and press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
I’m so thankful your family is now reaping the rewards of your obedience. Uncertainty is hard. Waiting is hard. Transition is hard.
“An uncertain future, heavy decisions weighing on our shoulders, risks ready for the plunge, and a tremendous dose of faith comprised our daily lives.” …I could have written this. It’s our reality, and has been for the past couple of years. The new year will bring new beginnings, big ones, but I can’t see them clearly yet. I look forward to “someday” when I can look back and see God’s hand in the happenings of this season. In the meantime, I know he’s faithful. Thank you for your beautiful reminder this morning.
Thank you, Susan, for your introspection. You will see His hand as He directs your path and when it happens, it will satisfy all our desires. Our needs are immediate, but in hindsight, we can always see His hand working through our trials.
You are so right. Surrender to God is not easy. Learning who God is and his character increases our faith in him and his ability to keep that which we have committed to Him.
Thank you for your response, Sheriena. Surrendering is something we fail to do in earnest, and it is so essential. I am glad we can count on the Lord for all things unseen, and that our fears can be put to rest.