A display of blue, soft white, and glowing orange colored the sky above us. Hundreds of people milled about, a soft June humming giving life to the world around us. We threw our blankets down and took a seat. She’d arrived without her shoes, and I kicked mine off too.
On the far side of the field stood a large, white screen. The screen lightened as the sky darkened, and our conversation as we waited remained unrushed. I thought I had come to gather with a band of fellow Dolly Parton fans in the community to watch 9-5 on just any Thursday night like the rest.
Before we think that’s a pointless way to spend a night, let’s dare to believe instead that God does not waste our seemingly trivial moments. If anyone can use an ordinary June night for good, it’s Him.
As my friend and I talked about church and home and friendships and ideas, she told me about an opportunity she’s pursuing to become a deacon at our church. The surprise must have shown on my face. I had so many questions, starting with: Why though?
She explained that while she isn’t sure that this is for her, she’s going through a training to discern it. She said something especially helpful, something I’m still thinking about weeks later. She said, with total confidence and clarity –
“I just love the church.
I want to do more in the church.
So I thought becoming a deacon could be a way to do that.”
That’s it. That’s why she did it. That was all it took for her to say yes.
You ask where to go, what to do, how to take a next step, but you might already know the answer.
There was a season a couple years ago when I thought I might want to go back to college to pursue a masters path in education. I remember feeling excited about that idea, and it felt like a career move that made sense. That I’d already been prepared for. But when it came to truly considering the cost, I recoiled.
It hit me: I don’t even want to be a teacher.
I knew I didn’t want to be in education or work in a school the rest of my life. I didn’t want to get locked in that field. I didn’t feel the costly investment would be worth it. And even as I thought about how to make that work financially and with my time, I questioned in the back of my mind: But where will I find time to write? Where’s the book in all this?
I knew I didn’t truly want to take that route, but I was enamored with the idea. So I literally – more than once – cancelled plans to stay home and pray and research and decide if this was the course for me, but in my heart, I knew I didn’t really want to do it.
Don’t hear me wrong. Sometimes the Lord will call us to do things we don’t really want to do. I believe that. I’ve done it before. I’ve walked into places I wouldn’t have chosen on my own with a peace that surpasses all I understand.
But this was not that. There was no peace for me when I considered going back to school. That’s why I eventually dropped it. Realizing I didn’t really want to do it was a grace of God that kept me on the course I am now.
I didn’t want to do it, so I didn’t take that next step.
I loved the job I was already in, so I stayed.
I didn’t have a peace about leaving, and staying at my current job still checked out with the Bible’s teachings.
And that’s how the story went. Simple as that.
There are decisions you will make, some even today or tomorrow, that you already know the answer to.
I’ve thought a lot about when my friend said that she loves the church, so she’s becoming a deacon to help it. Is that as striking to you as it is to me?
She didn’t overcomplicate her obedience. She recognized her love for the church, her capacity to give extra time, her desire to do more, and saw a gap in the body that she could fill. So she stepped up.
She called out what she loves and chose to do something to help it. That’s how she figured out her next step.
Dear one, there are decisions you will make, some even today or tomorrow, that you already know the answer to.
Don’t get me wrong – figuring out our assignment as given by the Lord can take a season of prayers and waiting. It can be hard to figure out sometimes. I’m not discounting those days. There’s something that happens in those hard, quiet moments of asking Him what’s next that deepens the relationship. Those days are worth it. I’ve lived those hard, beautiful seasons too, and I’m grateful that He saw me through it.
However, I can’t help but wonder how often we overthink the will of God for our lives.
How often do we wait for a big sign or a flashing arrow pointing us in the direction? How often do we think we need some mighty, miraculous moment to call it affirmation? How often do we labor over praying for an answer that we already know in our bones?
I believe it’s possible that you already know more of the will of God for your life than you think.
I believe He’s revealed it to you in whispers and tugs on your heart.
I believe that living for the Lord is a series of simple next steps, one after another, walking slowly into something great.
Sometimes living the faith really is as easy as doing what you love.
Jesus has given you a unique set of interests and skills that no one else can care for exactly like you can. He’s put people, missions, causes, countries in the back of your mind. He’s given you these things that you just can’t help but be good at or care about. Seriously.
Let me pause to say that my most natural brain is an overthinking, perfectionist brain. I’m processing this idea with you,. But if we’re following my friend’s logic of taking a next step, I think this is all we need to ask:
What do I care about?
What’s one way I can nurture it?
Is it biblical?
You’re burdened for the homeless? Carry some extra snacks in your car to hand to the next person you see on the corner. Proverbs 19:17.
Feeling like your prayer life needs a reset? Set a timer to pray for 5 minutes every day. Philippians 4:6-7.
You love to write? Turn your social media time into an opportunity to write up beautiful captions and leave comments of hope on your friends’ content. Ephesians 4:29.
You love summer church camp? Give what you can to it, whether it be praying, seeking out a volunteer opportunity, or donating money to it. Luke 6:38.
Got someone on your brain? Take them out to coffee one morning. Romans 1:11-12.
Your gratitude game feel a little off? Keep a running list of things you’re grateful for on your phone or journal, and add to it every morning. 1 Thessalonians 5:18.
The opportunities are endless because the Lord’s gifts toward us are a bottomless supply.
Lean into what you already know. You’re doing better than you think.
Here’s the thing – I don’t think Jesus wants to stress us out with decision making all the time. He doesn’t want to make knowing how to live for him complicated.
He wants us to live for him with joy.
And yes, that could be as simple as doing what you love.
“I just love the church.
I want to do more in the church.
So I thought becoming a deacon could be a way to do that.”
We’re not trivializing our big decisions, but we’re also not wasting time figuring out what’s already in front of us. Lean into what you already know to be true about your gifts, joys, and little loves. And make one change to better serve those things.
My guess is that if you’re even concerned about this topic of how to live more fully for the Lord, then you’re probably doing better at it then you think.
Rest knowing that you are still wholly loved by Jesus – not based on what you do or don’t do. Rest in the truth that not an iota given to the Lord is wasted in His kingdom, and even your smallest decisions can have rippling effects.
I have to give a shout out to my dear friend who inspired this message. I came to this movie night in the park tired. So, so tired. Like, literally fell asleep on the grass in the middle of the movie. But my kind, barefooted friend remained unbothered. Your real friends do not need your best energy, just as Christ doesn’t require your best energy. They don’t need you to perform at 100% for them. They just don’t. They’re happy to sprawl out on a blanket and to stumble through glorious ideas of Christ with grace with you. Thank you, my friend. You mean so much to me. You honor the Lord with your loving friendship.