Do you remember the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abendago? They were three men committed to following God. The commitment was not met without resistance. In fact, their commitment was literally tested by fire. Their faith was challenged. Do you really want to sacrifice your very life for “this God”? So you really think your “God” can save you?
Can you imagine the thoughts passing through the minds of these young men? Were they asking themselves the same questions being thrown at them? Do we really want to commit this much to God? Do we really believe He is able to save us? Wouldn’t it be easier (even make more sense) to just go along with everyone else?
These heroes of the faith surely carried some of their own questions. Why is God asking so much of us? Why do we have to be under the rule of such a egotistical king? Surely, God doesn’t really expect us to go in that fire?
I can’t say with certainty that these men struggled with questions or doubt. The Bible doesn’t actually give us those details. What I can say with certainty is that despite whatever doubts these men may have had, they made a choice. They chose absolute surrender to a God whom they trusted. Their obedience was without boundaries or limits.
They refused to bow down to anyone besides the one true God. As a result the king threw them into the fiery furnace.
Just before their time in the furnace, we read these words directed to the king:
If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God whom we serve is able to save us. He will rescue us from your power, Your Majesty. But even if he doesn’t, we want to make it clear to you, Your Majesty, that we will never serve your gods or worship the gold statue you have set up.”–Daniel 3:17-18
“But even if he doesn’t…” Do you trust God even if he doesn’t_____________? Is your obedience dependent on your life events lining up with your expectations?
[Tweet “Is your obedience dependent on your life events lining up with your expectations?”]If He Wants Me To
I was on the phone with one of my dearest friends discussing the difficult season she is walking through. I was both inspired and challenged as she reminded me of a song by Ginny Owens entitled “If You Want Me To.” One of the lyrics in the song says, “I will walk through the fire, if you want me to.”
My friend said to me, “Bobi Ann, I have to surrender my will to God’s over and over. I commit to walking through this fire if He wants me to.”
Is the path you’ve found yourself on not the one you would have chosen? Is your marriage not what you expected? Is parenting harder than you imagined? Was the doctor’s report disappointing? Are you walking through a fire?
When we find ourselves doubting God’s goodness because life isn’t happening on our terms, we may need to redefine “good.”
Elizabeth Elliot said,
“Restlessness and impatience change nothing except our peace and joy. Peace does not dwell in outward things, but in the heart prepared to wait trustfully and quietly on Him who has all things safely in His hands.”
Trusting God means trusting Him with the plan, the circumstance and even the fire. Choose to allow God to redefine for you what is good and surrender to His plan.
Commit to walk through whatever storm or fire if He wants you to.
[Tweet “Is the path you’ve found yourself on not the one you would have chosen?”] [Tweet “Trusting God means trusting Him with the plan, the circumstance and even the fire. “]
. It was in my pile to read but I didn’t get around to it until early this fall. The Insanity of God is a story of the persecuted church. I would almost call it a documentary. The author, Nik Ripkin, so vividly tells the story of his personal experiences, spiritual journey and research into the persecuted church, I felt as if I were watching it on-screen. I could picture the interviews with the heroes of our faith whom no one will ever know but whom have faithfully executed the calling of every believer.
I hesitate to even mention the next book I cracked because I didn’t make it too far. Landmines in the Path of the Believer is written by Charles Stanley. I’m not sure but I’m guessing most Christian leaders have probably read a Charles Stanley book. However, I had not and still haven’t. I just couldn’t do it. I honestly tried. I love the premise of the book but couldn’t get past the preachy language. Every time I tried to read it my mind would wander somewhere else and I would find myself unsure of what I had just read. I struggled to engage with the book. So after the Introduction and half of the first chapter I had to move on. For the super spiritual and ultra-intelligent, you would probably eat this book up. However, I discovered it was not for me.
During the Advent season I read Ann Voskamp’s daily devotional entitled 
You have to know me for about five minutes to know I’m passionate about leadership development. So, when 
has been a fun read. God has stirred in my heart a passion for the minister’s wife. The life a minister’s wife is often lonely and misunderstood. I still consider myself a rookie with only 12.5 years in. It was insightful and quite validating to read the stories of so many well-known pastor’s wives such as Ruth Bell Graham, Kay Warren, Joyce Rogers and Carol Cymbala who have gone before me and faithfully run the race next to their minister-husband.[Tweet “The life a minister’s wife is often lonely and misunderstood. I still consider myself a rookie.”]
Finally, I’m finishing up a book which is quite different from what I usually read. I probably wouldn’t have read it at all had it not just been sent in the mail to me by Thomas Nelson publishing. The vice-president of marketing had written a lengthy letter to go along with the book that intrigued me. 
I guess I’ve read more than I realized. The next book I plan on reading is by one of my favorite authors and speakers, Leighann McCoy entitled 
. Leighann will be at Willowbrook the end of February. Might be a good one to pick up before she comes!
