A Call to Obedience

Key verse

And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. Philippians 2:8

Years ago, I went on a mission trip to Nicaragua. As the trip approached, a friend and I held the last and second to last places in fundraising. One afternoon, I felt the Holy Spirit call me to give $100 towards my friend’s trip. The next day I checked to see if my offering reflected on his balance. To my surprise, his balance was full. The mission director told me another church family paid his balance after my $100 offering. Initially, I regretted my act of obedience because it left me in last place for fundraising.  I thought, If I only waited a day, I would have $100 to put towards my own trip. The next day, it was time to get back to fundraising. To my surprise, I found my balance was full too! The mission director shared that the family who funded my friend’s trip paid the remaining $400 balance due on my trip! I heartily believe that the blessing I received resulted from responding in obedience to the Lord’s call.

To walk in the will of God, we need to abide in Christ, maintain our love for Him, and act in the Holy Spirit’s power. The Holy Spirit will not only guide us in making major decisions in our lives but also aid in our daily, moment-to-moment decisions. Jesus says of the Holy Spirit, “When He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all truth...and He will tell you what is yet to come.” (John 16:13 NKJV) The key to knowing God’s will is to be obedient to the Holy Spirit’s guidance. If you will trust and obey God and live a holy life, God will reveal Himself to you and direct your steps.