One More Year – An Inspiring Story of Obedience by Acts of Faith
Scripture
Dear friends, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God and receive from him anything we ask, because we obey his commands and do what pleases him. 1 John 3:21-22 (NIV)
Have you felt a stirring in your heart? Is God asking you to step out in faith? I hope this devotional on obedience to God encourages you to take a leap of faith.
I sat frozen in my car, tears pooling in my eyes. I stared out the window and listened to the commotion of schoolchildren at drop-off. The buses came and left as children ran into the building, eager to start another day. I sat frozen, taking refuge in my car. Maybe if I asked God again, I could turn around and go home.
But God said, “One more.”
At the end of the last school year, I resolved to pursue another vocation outside of teaching. My heart just wasn’t in it anymore. After years of praying and begging God to reveal what was echoing in my heart, I knew it was finally time to take action. I had known for many years, with all my heart, that God had something else for me to do. Yet, I still hadn't figured out what that something else could be. As the summer faded into fall and after one failed attempt at a new part-time job, God said, “One more.”
So, after a few more moments of wrestling with God, I relented. I left the security and comfort of my car and went into the school, determined to do my best with this season God called me to.
In all honesty, any joy was elusive. I was tired, burnt out, and struggled to find any purpose in being an assistant teacher. Don’t get me wrong, teaching is a rewarding job; I just yearned for something more, different. 1 John 3:21-22 tells us, “...if our hearts do not condemn us, we can have confidence before God and receive anything we ask, because we obey his commands and do what pleases him.” So, I held firm to God’s promise of one more year.
The Lord used my obedience in this year of waiting as I worked with seven friendly, dedicated teachers. As I visited each of their classrooms several times daily, I realized most of the teachers were Christians. I listened and observed, and I was compelled to pray for their needs. I also prayed for the students and secretly fulfilled their needs as God prompted. I tried my best to hear the Spirit’s nudges and obey. All the while, I counted down the school days like a prisoner awaiting release.
As the school year ended, it was time for me to hand in my resignation. I hoped for a little free time to seek God and finally figure out the desires echoing in my heart like a pinball. My husband and I prepared financially to live on one income. Our plan accounted for a significant raise for my husband’s upcoming evaluation.
[Insert laughing emoji.]
The company my husband worked for started to have some issues. His boss asked him to take unpaid leave so the work could be spread among the team. The big red flag was waving. The big raise wasn’t coming, but the end of the school year was. James 2:17 reminds us that “...faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.” It was time for me to believe God’s promise and put my faith into action. I resigned from my position, unsure if my husband would still have his job the next day.
Obedience by Faith Can Lead to Unexpected Blessings
Eight months later, I sit here sharing this story with you about God’s provision and the promises He keeps. I only did “one more” school year. To my surprise, God took the words of my journal over the last eight years and called me to write devotions. Now that I've published devotions in five different books and on many Christian sites (more than I could ever have imagined), I am ready to take the next step. God has placed it on my heart to take the devotions and publish my own book. I stepped out in faith to walk this new path. God has not revealed when I will accomplish this goal; it may be tomorrow or five years from now. But I will hold firm to His promise to bring this book to fruition.
God said, “One more,” and I believed. If I can do it, so can you! What promise are you holding onto? Are you ready to act in faith?
Questions for Reflection
1. Obedience comes in steps of all sizes. Sometimes God wants us to take one small step in obedience, and sometimes He wants us to take a great big leap of faith. Obedience by faith means we take the next step He asks without seeing the whole staircase. Ask God to reveal any areas in your life where you are hanging on to your plans instead of faithfully stepping out into His plan.
2. Reflect on Proverbs 16:3, "Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans." Remember that God loves us so much that He has a plan for every aspect of our lives.
Let’s Pray
Dear Heavenly Father, please forgive me for the times when my fear has outweighed my faith. Forgive the times I’ve questioned your wisdom and thought I knew better. I ask for the courage and strength to always step out in faith, no matter how large the step, and offer my sacrifice of obedience. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Meet Our Guest Writer
She is a wife and a mom to three grown sons and two spoiled mini Aussies. Years of journaling have evolved into a passion for writing devotions. She writes for The Round Farmhouse Ministries and Candidly Christian. She is a contributing author to five anthologies and most recently contributed to the book Saved by an Angel for Guideposts. She loves spending time at home in Central Florida with her husband, Kevin, and her beloved dogs. She loves going to church, reading, and listening to praise music at very high volumes. When she is on vacation, you will find her sitting on the front porch of a cabin in the mountains. She is a member of Word Weavers International and Compel Pro Writers. Connect with Joanne on her Facebook page, Praises from the Porch.
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