Obedience in the Face of Uncertainty
Some decisions in life are easy. Others feel impossible.
There are moments when we sense God leading us in a direction that doesn’t make sense. Logic says no way and fear whispers this isn’t safe. But obedience to God has never been about comfort or certainty. It has always been about trust.
When Obedience Doesn't Make Sense
Faith isn’t about having all the answers. It’s about taking the next step, even when we have no idea where the road leads.
Over 15 years ago, when God called me to plant a church, it made no sense. I had more questions than answers. The timing wasn’t ideal. The resources weren’t there. And I certainly didn’t feel qualified. But when God speaks, we have a choice. We can trust Him, or we can trust our own understanding.
I won’t sugarcoat it. There have been incredible challenges along the way. There were moments when I wondered if I had misheard Him. Times when doubt crept in. Yet time and time again, I have seen His faithfulness, His provision, and His confirmation.
Maybe you’re in a season where God is calling you to something that doesn’t make sense. Maybe He’s leading you toward something unknown, and every logical part of you wants to hesitate.
You’re not alone.
Abraham & Peter: Obedience Before Clarity
Think about Abraham. God told him to leave his home and go to a land he had never seen. There were no maps, no guarantees, just a call to follow. And he did.
“By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going.” – Hebrews 11:8
Or Peter, standing in a boat on a stormy sea. Jesus said, “Come.” That was it. No explanation, no reassurance that the water would hold him, just an invitation to step out.
“Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus.” – Matthew 14:29
Both of these stories have one thing in common. They obeyed before they understood.
Leaning on God’s Understanding, Not Ours
Most of us want certainty before obedience. We want a detailed plan with step-by-step directions and a safety net underneath us before we move.
But that’s not how faith works.
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.” – Proverbs 3:5-6
We see risks. God sees the reward.
We focus on what we might lose. God is leading us toward what we will gain.
The Call to Obedience Today
What is God calling you to do?
Is He asking you to step into something new, even though it feels unknown?
Is He leading you to let go of something you've been holding onto too tightly?
Is He prompting you to trust Him in an area where you feel stuck?
Obedience isn’t about having all the answers. It’s about saying yes to God even when the path ahead is unclear.
A Prayer for Trusting God in Uncertainty
Lord, I confess that I often want clarity before I obey. I want to see the full picture before I trust. But You call me to walk by faith, not by sight. Help me to trust You more, to follow where You lead even when I don’t understand. Give me the courage to step forward, knowing that You go before me. Amen.
