Simple Obedience

Do you ever find yourself asking God what His will for your life is? "What's my specific calling?" I often wonder. Beyond our purpose of loving God and loving others, do you ever question what God has specifically asked of you? How are you supposed to use your unique giftings and abilities to serve God's kingdom? I've found myself wondering this very thing.

Recently I was challenged by my pastor's sermon. The funny thing is I often find myself seeking what God is asking of me, when in fact, He has already revealed it. My pastor challenged, "Maybe we don't need another revelation... we need obedience in what He's already asked of us." And this so often rings true. There are things God has asked of me that I have neglected, ignored, or been a poor steward of. One such thing for me is writing. For so long I have put off sitting down and penning the words God has given me onto paper. I come up with excuses, but the reality is that I have not made it a priority to utilize and steward what God has given me. Why do I find myself wanting, waiting for more when I've not been faithful with the little He's already put into my hands? Can you relate? Is there something God has asked of you that you've neglected to prioritize?

I know we often want the more. The glamorous, glorious jobs. We want to be remembered as having a powerful impact on the Kingdom of God. But who deceived us into believing that hosting a family for supper or dropping muffins off to our neighbor isn't Kingdom work? It's not just the Billy Graham's of this world that have a calling upon their life to reach the lost for Christ. No - there are countless names of people we will never know who have faithfully served Christ with everything they've had to give. Starting with the small - practising obedience and faithfulness with what God has put in our hands is what glorifies God and has an eternal impact.

The enemy often tries to distract us from stewarding our giftings well or stepping out in obedience. And it's because even Satan knows that simple obedience has the power to shake heaven and earth. Every time I sit down and try to write, I feel opposition coming at me. The devil doesn't want us to act in obedience - he wants us to sit idly by, ignoring the nudges of the Holy Spirit. He wants us to stay trapped in comfort and complacency. God has called us to more. It's okay if your more doesn't mean standing on the street corner proclaiming the gospel. If God has asked you to use your gift of hospitality to host your neighbours, be faithful in it. If he's calling you to use your gift of encouragement to love and walk with your co-workers through difficult times, steward it well. Be present where He has you, rather than lost and looking to be somewhere else other than where you are.

So I challenge you - if you find yourself searching for the next big thing God is asking of you, is there something He's already put into your hands that you haven't embraced? Is there a step He's asked you to take that you haven't had the courage to walk out? Or maybe there's a God given dream on your heart that you've let die over the years. God is a God of resurrection and redemption. He can bring new life to those old dreams. In the words of my pastor, "Until God calls you elsewhere, just do the last thing He has told you to do."

Scripture:

• "If you are faithful in little things, you will be faithful in large ones. But if you are dishonest in little things, you won't be honest with greater responsibilities."

  (Luke 16:10)

Question to ponder:

• What area is God asking me to walk in obedience today?

Action step to take:

• Make an action plan to step out in obedience in the area God has highlighted to you.