Radical Obedience

We all want God’s blessing in our life and we often ask God for material things, but what about what God wants from us?  We always ask the question, “What is God’s will for my life?” And I’ve always thought the answer was a simple one: Philippians 2:13: “for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.”  God wants to use us for His purpose.  How do we get to the place where God can use us?

It starts with obedience.  We have to be willing and available when God calls.  Oftentimes God will start with a small test.  I remember when I was praying once for God to let me hear Him more and that same day, I was sitting in a meeting with 50 people and I heard Him speak and say, “Silence your phone.”  I scoffed and reasoned it was just me with a silly thought because no one ever calls me.  About that time, my phone started blaring (my Matlock ringtone in case you were wondering) at a volume so loud it makes the sound of a rocket blasting off pale in comparison.  I failed that small test, but God wasn’t finished with me.  He sent other tests, some larger than this.

First, He got me to a place where I would follow His leading to start an elementary school.  It sounded bananas. I worked with children and families all of my adult life, but what did I know about starting a school?  I had a good salary, good benefits, and was working a job that appreciated and wanted me there, but I decided to follow God and start a Christian school.  I met with our pastor to do it through the church (itself an old elementary school building) and the board meeting was set for the next Saturday.  The Friday before the board meeting, we learned our contract was ending and this comfortable job was no longer going to be there.  I didn’t waiver.  We moved forward, started the school with 4 children.  Now, enrollment is around 150 children currently only 6 years in.  

Second, He called me away from that school that I love to follow Him in a new adventure.  Working from home allowed me to focus on my physical health, my mental health, and most importantly, my spiritual health.  Principaling is tough and God knew the burden it was putting on me being an administrator.  I was willing to do it, but it’s not my passion and it was resulting in constant stress, rising blood pressure, and just exhaustion.  It was tough to be obedient when I felt He was calling me away.  Questions like, “Are parents going to assume the ship is sinking and pull their kids?” Or, “The teachers will surely stay – they aren’t just loyal to me, right?” creeped into my head.  The Lord spoke to the person who was going to replace me and the school has never been better.  Retention rates are higher than they’ve ever been, new ideas have been implemented, and several new programs have started to make this a stronger academic institution.  It never would have happened if I had begrudgingly overstayed my welcome and not followed what God was saying.

Third, God called me away from my church home of 15 years and away from a ministry I had been serving in for 14 years.  It was difficult, but I kept praying for the Lord to show me His will in this situation and eventually He confirmed it.  Our pastor and I had been together for 20 years (He was the principal of the elementary school I worked at) and I knew He was going to be hurt by this.  But I had to ask myself this question, “Am I staying because God wants me to remain here or because I’m loyal to him?”  I had to make the difficult choice.  The past several weeks, God has been doing incredible things in my walk with Him and I’ve been spiritually renewed.  All because of obedience.

These experiences are not shared to celebrate how wonderful I am.  I’m just sharing three experiences from my life.  But the question I want to end with is, “What is God calling you to do and will you be obedient?”