Establishing Mutual Trust With God

I have been thinking about different ways to write this post for a few weeks, and last weekend in church was exactly what I needed to hear. Our pastor spoke about going from slaves to friends. We start out as slaves to sin and then become slaves to righteousness when we are saved. But how do we go from slaves to friends of God?

"I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything I have learned from my Father I have made known to you." - John 15:15

Obedience. God calls those friends who obey His will and serve according to His purpose. It seems simple, right? Just listen when God asks something of you, and you're good. I have felt God testing my obedience on many occasions, and sometimes it seems so much easier to just ignore it. It's not always easy, but it pleases God so much when we obey. There have been a few instances where I have really felt God tugging on my heartstrings, and listening and obeying blessed my life so much.

A few months ago, a girl I went to high school with posted on Facebook that a bookshelf had fallen on her two year old son. It was such a heartbreaking story, and the doctors didn't know if he would live, let alone walk again (miraculously, he is alive and relearning how to walk). He had so many surgeries and was in the hospital for months. She was a single mother doing everything she could to help her baby and her older son at home. In one of her updates on his condition, she mentioned that gas money was tight from driving to and from the hospital so much after work, and my heart just broke for her. I instantly felt called to help, so I messaged her and asked for an address so I could send her a check. This is where I really felt God testing me. Immediately when I saw the update, I thought "I need to give her $200". I felt so convicted and was so sure this was the amount I was supposed to give. After a few hours, I began thinking that $200 was actually a lot of money, and maybe just $100 would do. That's still a lot and I knew it would still help, but God kept that $200 number on my heart. I realized that there had been very few times where I felt like God's instructions were clearer, so I mailed the check the next day. She needed that money more than I did, and for some reason, that is how much I was supposed to give. This is how I know God was testing me: I work in marketing and sales and receive commission at the end of each month. At the end of that month, I had the biggest month I had ever had. God paid me back in full and then some for simply obeying His request. Honestly, giving her that money felt so right, and I am so glad God called me to help. The fact that He gave it all back to me just shows how much He loves us and wants us to listen and obey.

There have been several other instances like this since Parker and I have been married. One was rescuing and finding a home for Darla, but each time God has rewarded us for obeying Him. It hasn't always been monetarily, and that's not what we're after here, but sometimes it is just the feeling I get after obeying. It's such a sense of satisfaction that I don't get from anything else.

The next time you feel God tugging on your heartstrings asking you to do something, I urge you to listen. It may not always be the easy thing to do, but I promise it's right. We are called to obey, and before we expect God to trust us, we need to trust Him.

I look at Parker and see the greatest blessing of my life. God has already proven His plan for me is so much greater than the plan I had for myself. That said, it's not always easy. Things don't always go the way that I want them to, but I trust that God has all situations in His control. Whatever you are struggling with today, let it go. Trust God with it, and watch the great things He will do in your life.