Obedience & Eternal Perspective

By Jane Oliver, Liaison Coordinator

“…I am God and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me, declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, “My counsel shall stand, and I WILL accomplish ALL my purpose.”  Isaiah 46:9-10 (emphasis mine)

“God knows what I need.  I do not.  He sees the future.  I cannot.  His perspective is eternal.  Mine is not.” ~Vaneetha Rendall Risner

Praise the Lord for that, but OUCH!  So often we forget that we have such finite minds, don’t we?  “Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.” (Proverbs 19:21) We make all sorts of plans-even ones that include serving God and His people, so we are sometimes confused when we seem to be stuck in the mundane or when we are waiting on God.  We need to be reminded that our Creator is mostly concerned with the posture of our heart; with deepening our relationship with Him; with solidifying our trust in Him; with our obedience so that He can transform us by the renewing of our minds into Christlikeness; to accomplish “all HIS purpose.”  Our greatest opportunity to serve Him is going to be wrapped in obedience just as it was for Noah, Moses, Abraham, David, Joseph, and Jesus. 

The Lord has taught me so much about how my obedience is directly related to discovering His eternal purpose and plan for my life in a mighty way over the past few months.  I have held many jobs and volunteer positions over the years that I saw no obvious eternal value in.  But, “everyone has work to do that honors God” (from Holy Hustle devo), even when it is not in ministry, right?   As a mom, I’ve often quoted this scripture to my kids when tasked with something they did not enjoy doing: “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.” (Colossians 3:23)  Who am I kidding?  I have had to remind myself of this even more often!  I have learned that when the posture of my heart is right, especially in the seemingly mundane, or in the waiting, the Lord is faithful to honor me because I’ve honored Him.  Have you experienced the same?

As a teenager, God placed a burden on my heart to make an impact for the sanctity of human life.  Fifteen years ago, I answered His call to volunteer here at Care Net as the Helpline Coordinator.  I KNEW that held eternal value--you don’t have to be exposed to Care Net very long to see that Care Net is a God-honoring, life-affirming, Gospel-sharing ministry that is near and dear to the heart of our Savior.  I was humbled and thankful for the opportunity to serve at Care Net.

During that time, the Lord began to fuel a desire in me to work full time in this ministry, but there were circumstances in my life that kept me from it.  I felt “stuck” with the job I had as a result; so I remained a Helpline volunteer, and continued working and volunteering where the Lord placed me.  The Lord was always faithful to bless me in that.  I loved the job I was doing, but the desire to be involved more deeply with Care Net remained.  What I didn’t realize was that God had something bigger in mind for His purpose that He was preparing me for with EVERY. SINGLE. TASK. and act of obedience and service during that time. 

In March of this year, an employment opportunity opened up here at Care Net.  God reminded me that I was in a different season of life that would allow me the opportunity to make a career change.  I drafted a new resume for the first time in years.  As I listed each job or volunteer opportunity I had held, along with the responsibilities and skills I had acquired, God clearly showed me how He had used each one to prepare me to better serve Him.  It was a light bulb moment! After much prayer and clear confirmation from the Lord, I applied for the position at Care Net. 

   

I was not offered the position that I applied for, and with that came some soul searching and confusion about whether or not I had actually heard God right.  I began to doubt, but He continued to clearly point me to Care Net.  I was offered the receptionist position.  I prayed and felt the Lord encouraging me to take a leap of faith in obedience to His calling.  I was excited to join the staff at Care Net, but the receptionist position was not what I had in mind…..my prideful, finite, human mind that lacks God’s eternal perspective!  I had lost sight for a moment of God’s Word: “So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” (2 Corinthians 4:18)  and (Isaiah 55:8), “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord.”

 

I accepted the position and thanked God for it daily-- getting to work in this ministry alongside God’s people is an awe-inspiring, and humbling privilege; witnessing firsthand the love of Christ and The Gospel in action with the clients we serve is over the top!  I was overjoyed that I had chosen to obey God in this!  (Little did I know… He was not done moving me yet.)

Because God “…is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us,” (Ephesians 3:20), additional staffing needs at Care Net were being met even before any of us knew there would be a need!    Not long after I joined the staff here, our amazing Liaison Coordinator shared that for some time, she had felt God calling her to spend more time at home with her family, and that the Lord had already impressed upon her that I was placed here to assume her role; Sue Chess agreed and offered me the position.  MIND. BLOWN.  God loves Care Net and our Liaison Coordinator so much that He provided her with the peace she needed in knowing that the ministry position she would need to vacate was covered-- a sweet reward for her obedience and a gift of God’s providence for Care Net.  And, of course, God already had the perfect volunteer/intern ready to assume the role of receptionist!

What an incredible blessing and what an AWESOME God we serve!  Care Net belongs to Him, and His purpose WILL be accomplished.  God provides the greatest opportunities to serve Him wrapped in our obedience.