The Light of Christ Journey

Encouraging people on their journey with Christ

Reverence Reorients Us in Transition

Paula K. Graves

no comments

April 21, 2026

Reverence reorients us in transition. The awe of God can wake us up to His reality, holiness, and authority. Sometimes we get wrapped up in the things of this world and forget God has more for us.

Moses was shepherding sheep for his father-in-law, as he had for forty years. He had led the sheep far into the wilderness when he saw a burning bush. Exodus 3: 4 When the Lord saw Moses coming to take a closer look, God called to him from the middle of the bush, “Moses! Moses!”

“Here I am!” Moses replied.

5 “Do not come any closer,” the Lord warned. “Take off your sandals, for you are standing on holy ground. 6 I am the God of your father—the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” When Moses heard this, he covered his face because he was afraid to look at God. [1]

Holy Ground

Moses approached the burning bush, which was the presence of God. As Moses got closer, God instructed him to remove his sandals. In that culture, they took off their sandals to show respect. Today, the removal of a hat can express reverence and respect. Sandals would also pick up dirt, and out of reverence, we should be clean as we approach God.

Through His presence, God was transforming a rocky mountain into a sacred space. Horeb may refer to the chain of mountains in this area. Sinai would refer to a specific mountain peak. This may be called the mountain of God for several reasons. First of all, God’s presence in the burning bush would set it apart as holy. But this may also be called the mountain of God because it is where God would give the Ten Commandments and renew the covenant with His people. Thus, we can see God transitioning a mountain to a holy place through his actions.

Fear of the Lord

In the Old Testament, people feared looking at God because His presence was associated with immense power, holiness, and judgment. If one were unworthy, looking upon God could lead to death. This fear stemmed from a deep reverence for God’s glory and the understanding that encountering Him directly was a serious matter. Thus, Moses covered his face at the burning bush.

We, too, cannot be worthy by our own merit and must depend on Jesus. Romans 3: 23 For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. 24 Yet God, in his grace, freely makes us right in his sight. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins. 25 For God presented Jesus as the sacrifice for sin. People are made right with God when they believe that Jesus sacrificed his life, shedding his blood.[2]

Jesus gives us a new life as we believe and trust in Him. Our reverence reorients us in transition to our new life in Christ. 1 John 1: 8 If we claim we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and not living in the truth. 9 But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.[3] Because Jesus cleanses our sins, we can approach God without fear. To learn more, listen here:

https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/god-in-the-midst-of-change

[1-3] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation. Tyndale House Publishers.

When God Gets Our Attention

Tom Graves

no comments

April 20, 2026

When God gets our attention, it can be a defining moment in our lives and often takes place during a time of transition. Perhaps there was a time in your life when the Lord got your attention and set you on a different path. When Moses encountered the Lord while he was a shepherd, it was completely unexpected. It is often in such moments that He makes Himself known.

Exodus 3:2 There the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a blazing fire from the middle of a bush. Moses stared in amazement. Though the bush was engulfed in flames, it didn’t burn up. 3 “This is amazing,” Moses said to himself. “Why isn’t that bush burning up? I must go see it.” 4 When the Lord saw Moses coming to take a closer look, God called to him from the middle of the bush, “Moses! Moses!” [1]

Like Moses, God has ways of getting our attention. Sometimes, God allows sickness or other physical ailments to help us slow down. Maybe we’ve been doing too much and need a gentle reminder to focus only on what the Lord wills. Other times, God might use the loss of a job to guide us on a different path. In all these situations, God gets our attention because He has something for us other than the path we are on.

God’s Plan Takes His Intervention

God had a plan for Moses, and for it to unfold, the Lord had to intervene. God had to get Moses’ attention and change the path he was on. After spending 40 years in the wilderness as a shepherd, Moses probably thought he would be a shepherd for the rest of his life. At eighty, he may have thought life had passed him by. But God would use all the experiences of his life in his next season. 

As the angel of the LORD appeared to him in the burning bush, it amazed Moses as it would any of us. As God caught his attention, he moved closer to the bush, and God called out to him. God did not speak to Moses until He had his attention, and when He did, He said his name twice. When God speaks someone’s name twice in the Scriptures, it means He is trying to get their attention for a significant task. Often God’s Word doesn’t touch our hearts until He has our complete attention.

Jesus is Knocking

Ultimately, God is asking for our attention to every part of our lives. Jesus calls us. Revelation 3:20 “Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends.” [2] You may hear that knocking as the world seems to be growing more chaotic.

It is easy to feel powerless, but God is here for us. Psalm 46:1God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble. [3] God does not want our attention because He is needy, desperate, or selfish. He asks for it because He is our Savior, who wants us to come to know Him as Savior and to fulfill His plans. Come and see that Jesus is good and necessary for your life today and in eternity. God wants your attention, affection, and devotion for your good and His glory. To learn what happens when God gets our attention, listen here:

https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/god-in-the-midst-of-change

[1-3] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation. Tyndale House Publishers.

God Can Use Past Failures

Paula K. Graves

no comments

April 19, 2026

God can use past failures, as we see in the story of Moses and the burning bush. Moses was born to a Hebrew family at a time when Pharaoh had ordered all the Hebrew baby boys to be killed. Through divine providence, Pharaoh’s daughter adopted Moses and raised him as an Egyptian in the palace. Thus, Moses had an excellent education and was well-versed in palace protocol.

Understanding God’s Timing

Exodus 2: 11 Many years later, when Moses had grown up, he went out to visit his own people, the Hebrews, and he saw how hard they were forced to work. During his visit, he saw an Egyptian beating one of his fellow Hebrews. 12 After looking in all directions to make sure no one was watching, Moses killed the Egyptian and hid the body in the sand.

13 The next day, when Moses went out to visit his people again, he saw two Hebrew men fighting. “Why are you beating up your friend?” Moses said to the one who had started the fight.

14 The man replied, “Who appointed you to be our prince and judge? Are you going to kill me as you killed that Egyptian yesterday?”

Then Moses was afraid, thinking, “Everyone knows what I did.” 15 And sure enough, Pharaoh heard what had happened, and he tried to kill Moses. But Moses fled from Pharaoh and went to live in the land of Midian. [1]

It appears that Moses wanted to save his people from cruel slavery. But instead of seeing him as a leader, the people reported the murder to Pharaoh, and Moses left the country. Moses had the correct thought, but it wasn’t God’s time for him to become the leader of his people. He had more to learn.

God Doesn’t Waste Anything

In Midian, he married a woman and worked as a shepherd for his father-in-law. He did this for forty years and learned how to survive in the wilderness. He also came to know the geographical area. Thus, Moses was shepherding sheep as the story of the burning bush begins. Exodus 3:1One day Moses was tending the flock of his father-in-law, Jethro, the priest of Midian. He led the flock far into the wilderness and came to Sinai, the mountain of God.[2]

More than likely, the dream of freeing his people from slavery had faded long ago because he felt like a failure from his earlier experience. Yet, Moses knew Pharaoh, palace protocol, and now wilderness survival. Even though Moses was eighty years old, he had a wealth of knowledge to lead God’s people. God had used all of Moses’ past experiences to prepare him for the massive task of leading the nation of Israel out of Egypt.

God continues to use all of our past experiences to train us for the next season of our lives. Even if we have failed in the past, God can redeem these experiences and use them for His good. God sent Jesus to pay the price for our sin so we can receive forgiveness for our failures.

 But everything must happen in God’s timing, not ours. God is the grand multitasker, acting across multiple planes to coordinate all things. Even if you feel you have failed in the past, look to God to use these to train you for future tasks in His timing.

To learn more about how God can use past failures, listen here:

https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/god-in-the-midst-of-change

[1-2] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation. Tyndale House Publishers.

Legacy of a Godly Transition

Paula K. Graves

no comments

April 18, 2026

Abram left a legacy of a Godly transition. He left a life of idolatry and allowed God to guide His faith journey. The Tower of Babel is the Bible story that immediately precedes the call of Abram. In that story, the people wanted to leave a legacy of a great city and tower for future generations. Genesis 11: 4 Then they said, “Come, let’s build a great city for ourselves with a tower that reaches into the sky. This will make us famous.[1] As they said, “let us build,” we can see that they were depending on themselves and leaving God out of the picture.

In contrast, God initiated a blessing to Abraham that would be his legacy to future generations. Genesis 12: 2 I will make you into a great nation. I will bless you and make you famous, and you will be a blessing to others. 3 I will bless those who bless you and curse those who treat you with contempt. All the families on earth will be blessed through you.” [2]

God’s Promise

God began by telling Abram, “I will make you” which indicates that this is God’s idea and His power to act. The Hebrew Word translated here is ʿasah’ which means to accomplish, make, produce, or act with effect. [3] Abram won’t be able to do this on his own; only God can do it.

The blessings come as God makes Abram a great nation, and as a result, Abram’s name will be known. This will happen so that others can be blessed. In fact, God will bless the whole earth through Abram. Christ will be the blessing that comes through the line of Abram to bless the world.

Paul explains this ultimate blessing. Galatians 3: 8 What’s more, the Scriptures looked forward to this time when God would make the Gentiles right in his sight because of their faith. God proclaimed this good news to Abraham long ago when he said, “All nations will be blessed through you.” 9 So all who put their faith in Christ share the same blessing Abraham received because of his faith. [4] Through Christ, God blesses us to be a blessing just like Abram.

The Blessing of New Life

As we follow Christ as our Savior, the Holy Spirit gives us a new life. Titus 3: 4 When God our Savior revealed his kindness and love, 5 he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit.[5] It is the power of God Himself who enables this transition; we can’t do this on our own. By His grace, He transforms us into something entirely new, not just improved versions of ourselves.

Embracing new life in Christ means looking ahead with anticipation and faith in God’s plans for us. As believers, we are to have a legacy of blessing others. God gives each of us gifts so that we can help build His kingdom and give Him the glory. Too often, as sinful people, we desire to use our gifts to build our own kingdom, just like the people at the Tower of Babel. Anything on this earth is only temporary. However, God’s kingdom is eternal. Let us leave a legacy of a Godly transition to a new life of hope. To find out more, listen here:

https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/when-god-says-go

[1,2,4,5] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation. Tyndale House Publishers.

[3] Strong, J. (1995). In Enhanced Strong’s Lexicon. Woodside Bible Fellowship.

Worshipping God in Transition

Paula K. Graves

no comments

April 17, 2026

We see Abram worshipping God in transition. God had called him, by grace, out of Ur and idolatry. God had promised to make him a great nation even though he and Sarai were childless. Moreover, God promised to make him a blessing to all families on earth.

After Abram entered Canaan, God made another promise. Genesis 12:5b When they arrived in Canaan, 6 Abram traveled through the land as far as Shechem. There he set up camp beside the oak of Moreh. At that time, the area was inhabited by Canaanites. 7 Then the Lord appeared to Abram and said, “I will give this land to your descendants.” And Abram built an altar there and dedicated it to the Lord, who had appeared to him.[1]

Altar at Moreh

When Abram first reached the promised land, he camped by the oak of Moreh. Pagans often worshipped in groves of trees, considering them sacred. Moreh means teacher.[2] God chose this stronghold of idols to reveal His presence and grant His blessings to Abram.

Here, Abram built an altar to worship God for the promises he had received. Abram had an altar but no idol, which must have confused his neighbors. He boldly worshipped his God and proclaimed His name in a Canaanite place of worship and instruction. This is a model for us. We, too, need to worship and proclaim God’s name and authority over places of idol worship and teaching.

Altar at Bethel

After his worship at the Oak of Moreh, Abram picked up his tent stakes and moved again. Genesis 12: 8 From there he moved to the hill country on the east of Bethel and pitched his tent, with Bethel on the west and Ai on the east. And there he built an altar to the Lord and called upon the name of the Lord.[3] Even though he had moved, Abram continued to worship God.

Often, place names have significance, and here I think the names describe what is happening to Abram. ‘Bethel means “the house of God,” and Ai means “ruin.” Figuratively speaking, Abraham and Sarah were walking in the light, from east to west, from the city of ruin to the house of God!” [4]

Praise from a Tent

Even though God had promised Abram’s descendants land, Abram continued to live in a temporary tent. The only land he would ever own was Sarai’s burial plot. Yet, we see Abram worshipping God in transition. He provides a model for us.

Hebrews 11: 8 It was by faith that Abraham obeyed when God called him to leave home and go to another land that God would give him as his inheritance. He went without knowing where he was going. 9 And even when he reached the land God promised him, he lived there by faith—for he was like a foreigner, living in tents. And so did Isaac and Jacob, who inherited the same promise. 10 Abraham was confidently looking forward to a city with eternal foundations, a city designed and built by God. [5] To learn more, listen here:

https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/when-god-says-go

[1,5] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation. Tyndale House Publishers.

[2] Strong, J. (1995). In Enhanced Strong’s Lexicon. Woodside Bible Fellowship.

[3] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Ge 12:7–8). (2016). Crossway Bibles.

[4] Wiersbe, W. W. (1991). Be Obedient (p. 19). Victor Books.

The Trap of Compromise

Paula K. Graves

no comments

April 16, 2026

Abram (Abraham) fell into the trap of compromise as God called him. Stephen gives us insight into the call of Abram. Acts 7:2bOur glorious God appeared to our ancestor Abraham in Mesopotamia before he settled in Haran. 3 God told him, ‘Leave your native land and your relatives, and come into the land that I will show you.’[1]

Abram was to leave all he knew for an unknown destination. This included leaving his land and his relatives. Abram was obedient to leave his land, but he took his father, Terah, and his nephew, Lot. They also stopped at Haran, even though Canaan was the original destination (Genesis 11: 31).

Haran

Terah appeared to be on board with Abram’s call as they moved from Ur in what is now southern Iraq. But they stopped in Haran, which is in modern Turkey. “The journey halted in Haran, about six hundred miles north of Ur. The people who lived in Haran were essentially the same racially, religiously, and linguistically as those who lived in Ur.”[2] Both cities worshipped the moon god.

Scripture doesn’t tell us why they stopped at Haran. Perhaps Terah was ill, or maybe that was as much change as the family could handle. Did Abram stay in Haran as a concession to his father’s religion? We wonder. After Terah died, either Abram remembered God’s original call or God reissued it.

Genesis 12: 1The Lord had said to Abram, “Leave your native country, your relatives, and your father’s family, and go to the land that I will show you. 2 I will make you into a great nation. I will bless you and make you famous, and you will be a blessing to others. 3 I will bless those who bless you and curse those who treat you with contempt. All the families on earth will be blessed through you.” 4 So Abram departed as the Lord had instructed, and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he left Haran. 5 He took his wife, Sarai, his nephew Lot, and all his wealth.[3]

Consequences of Compromise

The time in Haran delayed Abram’s arrival in Canaan. The inclusion of Lot turned out to be a thankless distraction. Abram had to rescue Lot during a war and intercede for him during the destruction of Sodom. The people we surround ourselves with have a significant influence. We don’t have the option to choose our family. God knew how Abram’s family would hinder him and instructed him to leave them.

We have a choice in friends and must choose our friends wisely. 1 Corinthians 15:33bbad company corrupts good character.[4] God was calling Abram to a new life, but Abram brought some of the old with him. Warren Wiersbe gives great insight: “Whatever you bring with you from the old life into the new is likely to create problems.”[5] This is the trap of compromise. God gives His instructions to protect us; when we don’t follow them, we create problems for ourselves.

To learn more, listen here:

https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/when-god-says-go

[1,3,4] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation. Tyndale House Publishers.

[2] Smith, J. E. (1993). The Pentateuch (2nd ed., p. 115). College Press Pub. Co.

[5] Wiersbe, W. W. (1991). Be Obedient (p. 16). Victor Books.

Transitions Requires Trusting God’s Promises

Tom Graves

no comments

April 15, 2026

Transitions require trusting God’s promises and looking to Him instead of relying on our own strength or understanding as we move through life’s journey. The life of Abram, whom the Lord renamed Abraham, is an ongoing journey of learning to trust in God’s promises.

As the Lord told Abram to go to a new land, He made several promises. God’s first promise was guidance to the new land. But there was more. Genesis 12:2 I will make you into a great nation. I will bless you and make you famous, and you will be a blessing to others. 3 I will bless those who bless you and curse those who treat you with contempt. All the families on earth will be blessed through you.” [1]  

Abram put his trust and faith in God into action. Genesis 12:4 So Abram departed as the Lord had instructed, and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he left Haran. [2] Sometimes we ask, “Can I have the courage and strength to trust God’s promises when he calls me into a transition?” I believe we can, as we rely on God rather than on ourselves.

God’s Plan is For Us to Trust Him

God’s Word tells us that He has a plan for our lives. Psalm 139:16 You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed. [3] We grow in our relationship with God as we look to His Word. As we seek God, it is through Scripture that we can know the path He has for us. The Lord leads us through the power of the Holy Spirit.

There are also times when God breaks into our lives and gives divine direction, as He did with Abram. As we are in a time of transition, directed by the Lord, we may also be in a time of uncertainty. It is at this time that we need to stay close to the Lord through His Word and prayer. Scripture gives insight into how vital it is to trust Him as He guides our path. Psalm 119:105 Your Word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path. [4]

As people, we can be easily overwhelmed, so God does not blaze our path with a searchlight but with a simple lamp that guides us step by step. I find it much easier to trust God when I focus on today and let tomorrow take care of itself.

Trusting Jesus in Our Time of Need

Sometimes, life’s events can be confusing, and it’s during these moments that faith in God brings a peace that’s difficult to understand. Many people have encountered such times. Life’s most profound transition doesn’t come at the beginning but at the end. The beginning of one’s spiritual journey is indeed a transition. But a larger one comes when we depart from this life.

John 3:16For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.[5] What about you? Is the Lord calling you to trust Him more deeply as you navigate life’s transitions?

To learn how transition requires trusting God’s promises, listen here:

https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/when-god-says-go

[1-5] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation. Tyndale House Publishers.

Transition Requires Leaving the Familiar

Tom Graves

no comments

April 14, 2026

Transitions require leaving the familiar and often result in spiritual transformation. This is why they are so challenging. Leaving the familiar behind calls us to move beyond established comforts, certainties, and mindsets to embrace an unknown future. To do this, we must be grounded in trust in God’s promise or leading. This process is central to God’s spiritual growth and transformation in our lives.

The story of Abram in the Bible is an excellent lesson from God, teaching us many things, especially about leaving the familiar behind. Genesis 12:1The Lord had said to Abram, “Leave your native country, your relatives, and your father’s family, and go to the land that I will show you. [1]

The writer of Hebrews offers additional insight into Abraham’s transition, underscoring the importance of walking by faith, not by sight. Hebrews 11:8 It was by faith that Abraham obeyed when God called him to leave home and go to another land that God would give him as his inheritance. He went without knowing where he was going.[2]

The Stumbling Block of Leaving the Familiar

Leaving the familiar is often a great challenge and can be a stumbling block to moving forward in faith. The word ‘familiar’ is French in origin and is tied to the word ‘family.’ It would have been brutal for Abram to leave his country and his relatives. The only way he could do this without understanding the broader picture was to trust God and walk by faith.

During your spiritual journey, you may encounter moments when God tests your devotion and asks whether you are genuinely committed. Sometimes, He calls you to step away from what’s familiar and enter into unknown territory. God’s call doesn’t always require us to leave our family or job. But it has happened often in church history. God may ask us to let go of emotional attachments. When He does so, it’s rarely easy.

Anyone claiming that living by faith is simple probably has not experienced it firsthand. What do you do when God calls you to leave the familiar for the unfamiliar and doesn’t show you the final destination? Do you resist? Do you move reluctantly? Or do you implicitly trust His goodness amid every conflict and decision and move forward by faith?

God Brings Us to a Time of New Familiarity

As we walk along our spiritual journey, God often calls us to leave the familiar for something new He has for us. The good news is that, over time, what God has for us, although new and different, will become familiar. Making time to study God’s Word may require leaving something behind. As time goes by, the time you spend studying and meditating on God’s Word becomes familiar. At that point, you can’t imagine going back to your previous life patterns.

Abram would eventually arrive in Canaan, and it would become familiar to him and a place he would come to love. I have discovered in my life that the journey of faith is a process. Like Abram, you and I are under construction, with ongoing changes guided by our Savior.

To learn how transition requires leaving the familiar, listen here:

https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/when-god-says-go

[1-2] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation. Tyndale House Publishers.

Transitions May Begin with Small Steps

Tom Graves

no comments

April 13, 2026

Transitions may begin with small steps, much like a child learning to walk. Learning to walk is a process, and small steps often mark transitions, as we see in Abram’s life. God called Abram (Abraham) to make the most significant transition of his life.Genesis 12:1The Lord had said to Abram, “Leave your native country, your relatives, and your father’s family, and go to the land that I will show you.[1]

Stephen offers further insight into how Abram responded to the Lord’s guidance as he recounts Israel’s history. Acts 7:4 So Abraham left the land of the Chaldeans and lived in Haran until his father died. Then God brought him here to the land where you now live. [2] Haran served as a halfway point on the 1,200-mile journey from Ur to Canaan.

Haran was more than a geographical milestone; it was a significant trade hub where Abram’s family settled for a time. This period in Haran became especially notable because Abram’s father, Terah, died there. As a result, the family’s journey to the promised land was delayed until after Terah’s death, marking Haran as a place of both transition and waiting on the path God had set before Abram. Is there an area of your life where the Lord is asking you to take a step in obedience as He transitions your life?

Transformation as I take Steps of Faith

Transition may begin with small steps because the Lord is transforming us even as He calls us to walk by faith. In Genesis 12:1, it is translated that God “had said” to Abram to leave your native country. Why is this important? Translators use “had said” because the events of Genesis 12:1-3 chronologically refer to an earlier command given to Abram while he was in Ur. This was before he came to Haran with his father Terah (Genesis 11:31-32).

The narrative in chapter 12 begins by essentially flashing back to the divine call that initiated Abram’s journey. The first steps of faith are not always giant steps, as we would like. This explains why Abraham did not fully obey the Lord. Instead of leaving his family and going to Canaan, Abram took his father and Lot, then stopped halfway in Haran. Both Ur and Haran shared a similar pagan culture, centered on the prominent moon god Sin, who symbolized wisdom, fertility, and divination.

As God transformed Abram, he would have understood why taking relatives with him and stopping halfway was not a good idea. As we walk by faith, we might not understand the steps of faith God is asking us to take, but we must simply trust Him.

God Does Not Waste Our Small Steps of Faith

As we take baby steps of faith, we learn to trust God even when we don’t understand why. The journey of Abram mirrors that of many believers as God transforms them along the way. Proverbs 16:9The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps. [3] This verse notes that while we plan, God establishes our steps, implying He works through our incremental movements. This was true of Abram, and it is true in our lives as well.

To learn how transitions may begin with small steps, listen here:

https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/when-god-says-go

[1-2] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation. Tyndale House Publishers.

[3] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Pr 16:9). (2025). Crossway Bibles.

God’s Transitions Require Obedience

Tom Graves

no comments

April 12, 2026

God’s transitions require obedience as we choose to follow His will rather than our own. Jesus describes God’s will as the narrow road. Matthew 7:13 “You can enter God’s Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose that way. 14 But the gateway to life is very narrow, and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it. [1]

The Lord called Abram to leave his home and go to a place He would guide him to. Genesis 12:1The Lord had said to Abram, “Leave your native country, your relatives, and your father’s family, and go to the land that I will show you. 2 I will make you into a great nation. I will bless you and make you famous, and you will be a blessing to others. 3 I will bless those who bless you and curse those who treat you with contempt. All the families on earth will be blessed through you.” 4 So Abram departed as the Lord had instructed, and Lot went with him.[2]

According to our text, God told Abram to leave his home and go to a new home to fulfill the plans the Lord had for him. Although it is a gift to hear the voice of the Lord, it takes obedience to respond to that voice. As you quiet yourself, what is the Lord speaking to you about that requires an obedient heart?

Lord, Help Me Be Obedient

Have you ever asked the Lord for strength to be obedient? In life, there are many distractions and temptations, and we need God’s strength to follow Him. Psalm 143:10 Teach me to do your will, for you are my God. May your gracious Spirit lead me forward on a firm footing. [3] As you reflect on that verse, you may want to turn it into a prayer asking for guidance. “Teach me to do Your will, for You are my God! Let Your Holy Spirit lead me on level ground!”

It is often in God’s strength that we move forward in life, not in our own strength. Moving forward in life on the path the Lord has for us is a spiritual battle, and our enemy, Satan, fights us at every step. As we begin to understand the struggle we are in, it becomes clear how much we need the Lord’s strength. As you read this, is the Lord prompting you to seek His strength?

Obedience to God Affects Others

As we follow the Lord through transitions, those around us are always affected because blessings follow obedience. This is seen in the life of Abraham. Often, it is only in hindsight that we see how being obedient to God’s calling affects those around us.

When I felt called by God to change professions and become a pastor in my mid-thirties, my wife and I had no idea how this would change the lives of our three small children. Thirty years have now passed, and the Lord not only changed my wife and me but also the lives of our children as they grew up. As we step into God’s plans, the narrow road may not be easy, but it will transform us, enabling us to be a light for others. God’s transitions require obedience; to learn more, listen here:

https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/when-god-says-go

[1-3] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation Tyndale House Publishers.

Powered by WordPress.com.