Obedience over outcome: Trusting god with the results
“You are my friends if you do what I command.” - John 15:14(NIV)
I didn’t pray for a lady today.
But God asked me to.
Actually, to be clear, God asked me to ask if I could pray for her.
As my heart began racing and all the little reasons why I shouldn’t flooded in, I asked God what He wanted me to say.
The answer surprised me. I felt the Lord whisper to my spirit, “Don’t worry about that. She’s going to say no.”
Uhhh… that’s not exactly how this works, I thought to myself. I’m getting really mixed signals from the Almighty here.
But as I almost talked myself out of it, I remembered the prayer that’s been on repeat in my life lately:
I want what You want.
I think what You think.
And I do what You ask me to do.
So with butterflies buzzing, palms shaking, and heart thumping, I told the thoughts of fear to shut up—I was doing it anyway.
I approached her and said, “Hi, I overheard your conversation about you being sick. Do you mind if I prayed with you?”
Her response came as expected: “Actually sweetie, I do mind. But thank you.” And she walked away.
She’d been sick for many years now. I’m sure a lot of people have tried to pray with her. Maybe she even let a few. Maybe she didn’t know Jesus. Maybe she was embarrassed.
The thing is—whatever her reason was for turning me down—God knew it. And told me to offer anyway.
And that fact gave me loads of revelation that I want to share with you:
1. Do It Scared
I didn’t wait until I wasn’t nervous to step out on what God asked of me. Maybe it’ll get easier the more I do, but today—I was scared. And fear didn’t get to make the decision for me.
I decided earlier that day I was going to follow Jesus wherever He led me. Because too many times I’ve missed it. I didn’t do it scared—I let the fear win, and felt so disappointed afterward.
Thankfully, God doesn’t stop working on us when we miss it. He keeps pursuing us. He keeps teaching us. He keeps asking for our YES.
2. It Doesn’t Have to Make Sense
God has really been dealing with me lately about not trying to explain His anointing.
I don’t have to justify it to anyone. I don’t owe anyone an explanation for my relationship with Christ. And when He gives you instructions—even if they don’t make sense—do it anyway.
Don’t add your own spin. Don’t try to make it your own, because His thoughts are not our thoughts. His ways are not our ways. Just trust that He knows what He’s doing.
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”
— Isaiah 55:8-9 (NIV)
3. You’re Not Responsible for God’s Job
I believe God had a miracle for that woman. I believe healing would have come to her if she would have allowed me to lay hands on her and pray.
But here’s the thing: healing is not my job. Isaiah 53:5 says that by His stripes, we are healed. The healing is in the blood of Jesus. My job? To believe that.
“And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.”
— Mark 16:17-18 (NIV)
The healing work isn’t my responsibility. But it is my responsibility to step out, pray, and lay hands on the sick. I’m just the messenger. The vessel.
As far as my assignment is concerned? I completed it. I did what God asked me to do. He is just as pleased with me as if the woman would have received a miracle. I did the work of Christ. Even if it didn’t look like much to anyone else.
Take the pressure off of performing the work of God. You are not God. You just need to believe in Him and obey.
Isn’t it freeing to know you’re allowed to just be human?
4. Don’t Be Afraid of “No”
Plenty of people told Jesus no. And some people are going to tell you no, too.
Some will admire your faith. Others, maybe most, will mock you for it. If you’re afraid of rejection—let that go.
Man’s opinion of you changes absolutely nothing. God’s opinion of you changes everything. Please Him.
Get comfortable with people turning you down. It’s going to happen. Even Jesus had to leave His own hometown because people were rejecting Him:
“Jesus said to them, ‘A prophet is not without honor except in his own town, among his relatives and in his own home.’ He could not do any miracles there, except lay his hands on a few sick people and heal them. He was amazed at their lack of faith.”
— Mark 6:4-6
Just because you get a “no” doesn’t mean you failed.
5. I Prayed Anyway
She said no. I didn’t pray with her. I didn’t lay hands on her. And I didn’t pray for her healing right there in that moment.
But I still prayed. In my alone time with God, I prayed for her heart. I prayed that whatever was hardened in her would turn back to Jesus. I prayed that the seed planted today would be watered into something eternal. I still brought her up in the presence of the Almighty.
She crossed my path, and I want that to mean something.
6. I’d Rather Hear a “No” from Man Than Say “No” to God
I encourage you today—do the things God asks of you. Even if they don’t make sense. Even if they’re scary. Even if it’s embarrassing. Even when people say no.
Do something eternal today.
I’d rather hear a “no” from man
Than say a “no” to God.
Give God your yes.