I was baptized as an infant.  However, when I embraced my salvation as a 17-year-old girl, excited by a future dedicated to God, I felt a leading to being baptized again, as a believer.  Of course, being baptized is not something that is easy for someone who prefers to stay out of the limelight, and I quickly convinced myself that because I had been baptized as a baby, I was covered.  I am not expressing any theological opinion here on covenant verses believer’s baptism.  I am simply sharing that, in my case, I continued to feel a nagging that God wished me to be baptized as a believer.

God has struggled with me mightily over the years in many areas of my life.  However, one of the greatest struggles has been with my obedience, or my lack thereof.  While I adore my Heavenly Father, and would never directly say “no” to Him, I have become the queen of rationalizing and explaining to God why my plan is better than His.  This was certainly true in regard to my being baptized, as well as many other circumstances over the past two decades.

One significant event came after my terminal diagnosis.  It was then that Deric and I both felt led to start Inheritance of Hope.  However, it seemed as though we were barely keeping our heads above water.  How could we possibly begin a ministry to serve others?

I rationalized and explained to God that I simply did not have the strength.  I had forgotten Philippians 4:13, a verse I am quick to quote to my children but was unwilling to follow myself.  “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”  I had forgotten that He would supply the strength, energy, and resources for work that He was calling me to do.  However, He does not tell us it will be easy.

After two long years during which my resistance to God’s leading held strong, we finally answered the call and began Inheritance of Hope.  Do you know what I learned almost immediately?  God was not leading us to start this ministry because He needed our help.  He does not need our help!  He was leading us to start this ministry because He wanted to bless US.  And He has.  Our blessings have far exceeded anyone else this ministry has served.  I delayed, or even missed out completely on a huge chunk of my blessing.  Why?  Because I was disobedient!

I have recently found myself motivated to become more obedient.  More than anything, even divine healing, I want to hear God say, “well done, good and faithful servant!”  This will require my obedience, something I have not always shown in the past.  Also, I believe there are blessings on the other side of our obedience.  God so wants to bless us, but so often our disobedience makes the blessing impossible.  I have seen this as a parent when I had special plans for our children, which were spoiled when their disobedience forced us to cancel the blessing.