Trust and Obey- MONDAY
Trust and Obey
by
Bryan Craig
MONDAY- Finding Contentment
When we walk with the Lord,
In the light of His word,
What a glory He sheds on our way!
Let us do His good will;
He abides with us still,
And with all who will trust and obey.
Trust and obey, for there's no other way
To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.
-From Trust and Obey by John Sammis/Daniel Towner
It's been one year since I sold my business in Tulsa and moved my family to Bentonville, AR to follow this calling to serve Influencers in a full-time capacity. I can't tell you that the transition was easy, for there were many challenges and adjustments to be made, but as I reflect on my life right now, I would say that I've discovered a surprise blessing...Contentment.
I think of all those years when I contemplated my life and all that I thought I might accomplish, all the dreams I had for myself.
If only I had enough money...
If only I could use my creative gifts to make Christian movies...
If only I could have the freedom to travel the world...
I would quickly quote Psalm 37:4 NIV:
"Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart."
I was getting up early and seeking the Lord in His Word and in prayer. I was serving Him at church, through Influencers and in my family. I believed I had given Him the controls of my life, and I was delighting in Him. SO...I figured He would give me the desires of my heart. Makes sense, right?
I had a plan that I would make a lot of money in my small business, so much that I could retire early and then, I could do ministry for free. It sounded noble to me, and it also seemed reasonable so that I might not be a burden to anyone for my financial provision. That was one of the desires of my heart.
Well, during the last seven years, my plan got wrecked. Instead of financial abundance, I experienced financial hardship, draining my retirement account and all the equity in my house. I was broke and I was broken.
In the midst of my desperation, God extended me an invitation. He invited me to trust Him with all my heart, mind, soul and strength. He asked me to leave my comfort zone and abandon my plans. He asked me to move my family from the only house my kids ever knew as home, to sell everything I had, and to move to a new land. He asked me to commit the rest of my life to making disciples and helping lead this ministry to the world.
I realized that if I was really going to trust Him, I also had to be obedient. It's just like when the disciples saw Jesus walking on water and were terrified:
"But Jesus immediately said to them, 'Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid.' 'Lord, if it's you,' Peter replied, 'tell me to come to You on the water.' 'Come,' He said. Then Peter got down out of the boat and walked on the water and came toward Jesus." Matthew 14:27-29 NIV
I trusted Jesus and I got out of my boat, into the unknown, and I came to Him. I can now speak to you from a different place, and I want to help you get out of your boat.