What Do You Want Me To Do?
Acts 9:4-6 (ESV)
And falling to the ground, he [Saul] heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” And he said, “Who are you, Lord?” And he said, “I am Jesus whom you are persecuting. But rise, and enter the city, and you will be told what to do.”
Reflection
Sometimes God’s direction just doesn’t make sense. Several years ago, I was at a crossroads in my career and felt the Holy Spirit pushing me toward a job that paid less than what I was currently making. This job was in a smaller, obscure city, and didn’t have the title or role that I was hoping to add to my resume. The other job I was considering was more prestigious, had slightly higher pay, and was in a larger city with an amazing bakery (there were other highlights besides the donuts). Even still, I felt a strong but gentle nudge from God that the lesser-paying job was His best choice for my life.
I am so glad I obeyed that calling. Two years later, I had received two significant promotions (with nice pay raises), an amazing boss, and I had made an incredible Christian friend who had quickly become one of my “lifers.” I later learned that a former colleague of mine who took a position at the other, higher-paying job had an unreasonable workload and was miserable! Stopping to ask God, “What do you want me to do?” presented me with two courses of action, and obeying His direction ultimately proved to be in my best interest.
Paul was heading in a direction he thought was meaningful. He was studying under Gamaliel, one of the most influential law leaders of the day (Acts 22:3), and he had a seemingly promising future on the horizon, which included identifying, torturing, and killing Christians (Acts 22:4-5)! But God powerfully interrupted Paul’s agenda, changed his career course, his name (from Saul to Paul), and his entire future. Paul’s immediate obedience to God’s calling is what revolutionized his legacy from “public enemy number one” into one of history’s greatest missionaries of the Gospel.
As I look back and reflect on those times in my life when I was obedient – even when it didn’t make sense – I can see God’s goodness written all over the storyline. If we are unwilling to take the step of faith, we may never get the privilege to look back and marvel at what God has done. But if we are willing to follow the direction of God, it can yield incredible dividends, both for our lives and for the Kingdom of God.
Action Steps
1. Think back to a time when you know God was asking you to be obedient and take a step of faith. Talk to Him about that chapter of your life. Was there a lesson or blessing in taking that step?
2. Take a few minutes and prayerfully consider what God is asking you to do next.
Prayer
Father, I know that Your plans and direction for me are always better than what I have planned for myself. Whenever I am at a crossroads of decision, help me to stop and ask what You want me to do, and then follow You obediently. I love and trust You with my whole life. Amen.
And falling to the ground, he [Saul] heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” And he said, “Who are you, Lord?” And he said, “I am Jesus whom you are persecuting. But rise, and enter the city, and you will be told what to do.”
Reflection
Sometimes God’s direction just doesn’t make sense. Several years ago, I was at a crossroads in my career and felt the Holy Spirit pushing me toward a job that paid less than what I was currently making. This job was in a smaller, obscure city, and didn’t have the title or role that I was hoping to add to my resume. The other job I was considering was more prestigious, had slightly higher pay, and was in a larger city with an amazing bakery (there were other highlights besides the donuts). Even still, I felt a strong but gentle nudge from God that the lesser-paying job was His best choice for my life.
I am so glad I obeyed that calling. Two years later, I had received two significant promotions (with nice pay raises), an amazing boss, and I had made an incredible Christian friend who had quickly become one of my “lifers.” I later learned that a former colleague of mine who took a position at the other, higher-paying job had an unreasonable workload and was miserable! Stopping to ask God, “What do you want me to do?” presented me with two courses of action, and obeying His direction ultimately proved to be in my best interest.
Paul was heading in a direction he thought was meaningful. He was studying under Gamaliel, one of the most influential law leaders of the day (Acts 22:3), and he had a seemingly promising future on the horizon, which included identifying, torturing, and killing Christians (Acts 22:4-5)! But God powerfully interrupted Paul’s agenda, changed his career course, his name (from Saul to Paul), and his entire future. Paul’s immediate obedience to God’s calling is what revolutionized his legacy from “public enemy number one” into one of history’s greatest missionaries of the Gospel.
As I look back and reflect on those times in my life when I was obedient – even when it didn’t make sense – I can see God’s goodness written all over the storyline. If we are unwilling to take the step of faith, we may never get the privilege to look back and marvel at what God has done. But if we are willing to follow the direction of God, it can yield incredible dividends, both for our lives and for the Kingdom of God.
Action Steps
1. Think back to a time when you know God was asking you to be obedient and take a step of faith. Talk to Him about that chapter of your life. Was there a lesson or blessing in taking that step?
2. Take a few minutes and prayerfully consider what God is asking you to do next.
Prayer
Father, I know that Your plans and direction for me are always better than what I have planned for myself. Whenever I am at a crossroads of decision, help me to stop and ask what You want me to do, and then follow You obediently. I love and trust You with my whole life. Amen.
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