When It's Hard to Obey
Life isn't measured in time—it's measured in moments. These moments, both beautiful and difficult, shape who we are and how we respond to God's calling. Today we explore what happens when God asks us to do something that seems impossible, using the story of Joseph as our guide.
What Are Holy Moments?
Holy moments are those times when God breaks into our ordinary lives and asks us to trust Him with something extraordinary. They're the moments when obedience feels difficult, when we can't see the full picture, but God is asking us to take that first step of faith.
Life is filled with these moments—some we remember with joy, others with pain. We remember when loved ones received good news about their health, when marriages were restored, when babies were born after loss. We also remember the difficult moments—saying goodbye to family members, facing unexpected challenges, or dealing with betrayal.
Why Is Obedience So Difficult?
We Want All the Details First
One of the biggest obstacles to obedience is our desire to know everything before we act. We want God to show us the complete plan, explain every step, and guarantee the outcome. But that's not how faith works.
Joseph didn't know he would have to travel to Bethlehem with a pregnant wife. He didn't know they'd end up in a stable. He didn't know what it would mean to raise the Son of God. All he knew was what the angel told him in a dream: "Don't be afraid to take Mary as your wife."
We Face Opposition
When God calls us to obedience, we can expect pushback. People will tell us we're too old, too young, too inexperienced, or too foolish. They'll use our past accomplishments against us or point out our failures. This opposition often increases the more aligned we are with God's will.
We Worry About the Outcome
We get paralyzed thinking about all the things that could go wrong. We analyze every possible scenario instead of simply trusting God with the results.
What Can We Learn from Joseph's Story?
The Power of One Moment of Obedience
Joseph's story shows us that we can never imagine what God can accomplish through one moment of obedience. When Joseph chose to marry Mary despite the social shame and personal cost, he became part of God's plan to save the world.
You have no idea what God can do through your one moment of obedience. That decision to serve, to give, to forgive, to step out in faith—it could be the beginning of something that impacts generations.
Understanding the Cultural Context
Mary was likely only 13 years old when she became pregnant. In that culture, engagement was equivalent to marriage today—it was a covenant relationship that could only be broken through divorce. When Mary told Joseph she was pregnant, he had every legal right to have her stoned or publicly disgraced.
But Joseph was a righteous man. He didn't want to shame Mary, so he planned to divorce her quietly. That's when God intervened with a dream.
Joseph's Response to God's Call
When the angel appeared to Joseph in a dream, notice what Joseph didn't do:
He didn't explain the dream away
He didn't argue with God
He didn't negotiate for more signs
He didn't ask for additional details
Instead, when Joseph woke up, he did exactly what the angel commanded. This teaches us a crucial principle: when God commands us to do something, we should do it.
How Do We Apply This to Our Lives?
Recognize That You Don't Need Every Detail
God rarely shows us the complete picture before asking us to move. You don't need to know how everything will end—you just need to know what God is asking you to do right now.
Remember: Obedience Is Our Responsibility, Outcomes Are God's
Our job is to be obedient to what God asks of us. His job is to handle the results. We do what He leads us to do and trust Him with what happens next.
Don't Let Past Mistakes Disqualify You
Some people feel that because they've made mistakes in life, God won't use them. This is a lie. Look at every person in Scripture that God used in mighty ways—they all had flaws and failures. There's no sin too great for God's grace.
Expect Opposition but Don't Let It Stop You
When you step out in obedience to God, you will face opposition. This is normal and often indicates you're moving in the right direction. Don't let criticism or pushback keep you from doing what God has called you to do.
What Might God Be Asking You to Do?
God might be prompting you to:
Confess an addiction or sin
Apologize for something you've done
Forgive someone who has hurt you
Give generously beyond your comfort zone
Serve in a new capacity
Leave a relationship that isn't honoring to God
Start something new that seems impossible
The key is to listen for His voice and respond with obedience, even when it's difficult.
The Example of World Missions
Sometimes God gives us a vision that seems too big for our current capacity. This year, our church received a vision for world missions. Instead of waiting until we felt "ready," we leaned in and jumped in completely. The result? Thousands of people are being saved every month because of our collective obedience to step out in faith.
This shows us that when God gives direction, our response should be immediate obedience, trusting Him to provide what's needed along the way.
Life Application
This week, take time to reflect on the last time you clearly heard from God. Did you act on what He asked you to do? If not, it's not too late to respond with obedience.
Consider what God might be asking of you right now. Is there a step of faith He's calling you to take? A relationship to restore? A sin to confess? A new area of service to explore? Remember, you can't imagine what God can accomplish through your one moment of obedience.
Don't wait for all the details. Don't let fear of opposition stop you. Don't worry about being qualified enough. Simply do what God is asking you to do and trust Him with the results.
Questions for Reflection:
What is God currently asking you to do that you've been hesitating to obey?
What fears or concerns are holding you back from taking that step of faith?
How might your life and the lives of others be different if you chose obedience over comfort?
What would it look like to trust God with the outcome while focusing only on your obedience?