Again, Obedience Doesn’t Require Understanding
Tuesday, July 22, 2025
(Original Post Date: Tuesday, February 18, 2025)
If we’re being real, one of the biggest reasons we hesitate in obedience is because we want to understand everything first. We want all the details, all the explanations, all the “why” behind what God is doing. But that’s not faith. That’s control.
Obedience isn’t about understanding—it’s about trust. Trusting that He sees what we don’t. Trusting that His way is better than our way. Trusting that if He’s asking us to do something, there’s a reason—even if we can’t see it yet.
When God told Noah to build the ark, it had never even rained before. When God told Moses to lift his staff, the Red Sea was still very much standing in the way. When God told Joshua to march around Jericho, the walls were still standing tall. Nothing looked like it was going to work—but it did.
God’s instructions don’t always make sense. But they always make miracles.
If you’re waiting for God to make the path clear before you obey, you’ll be waiting forever. He’s not looking for your logic. He’s looking for your trust. You don’t have to understand the whole plan. You just have to obey the next step.
My Reflection
(Repost Add-On: Tuesday, July 22, 2025)
I find that in my own journey of obedience, trying to understand what God is doing often just leaves me frustrated and overwhelmed—because I’m not God.
When I try to piece it all together in my own mind, it becomes too much. I start spiraling, trying to figure out what He's doing, why He’s doing it, when it's going to happen, and how it’s all supposed to work out. And honestly? That’s not my job. That’s God’s.
He’s allowed me to see glimpses—places where my giftings shine, where my skill sets align, where I can clearly sense His hand at work. But He hasn’t given me the full picture. He’s shown me just enough to obey, not enough to control. When He told me to move to Chicago, the instruction was crystal clear. There was no confusion about that part. But the why? The full purpose? The long-term plan? I still don’t fully understand it, and maybe I never will on this side of Heaven.
Trying to understand His timing… His why… the ins and outs of every moment… trying to force clarity in places where He hasn't given it—whew, that will wear you out. That will have you second-guessing what you heard, doubting your obedience, and—if you’re not careful—it’ll start to make you resentful. You’ll start to feel some type of way toward God because it’s not happening your way, in your time, or according to your expectations.
And sometimes? The truth is, we’re out here waiting for God to explain something He never even promised. Some of the things we expect from Him, He never said He’d do. Some of the timelines we’re pressuring ourselves with? He never set them. We did. Some of the outcomes we’re demanding answers for? They were never part of His plan. That’s why it’s so important to align with His will, His way—not just the version we imagined.
If I sat and tried to understand all the reasons why certain things happened—why some of the most painful moments of my life unfolded the way they did, like losing my mom—I’d stay in a cycle of pain. I’d get stuck in a loop of why that may never be answered. And that kind of weight? It’s too heavy for me to carry.
Hindsight reveals something powerful, though. Sometimes, when God gives us an opportunity to obey—whether voluntarily or involuntarily—it’s not for the now. It’s for the then. And because we don’t know the future, trying to make sense of a now-move for a then-season is frustrating. We’re trying to discern something that's above our heads. But God? He’s already there. He sees the end from the beginning. He knows how the story plays out. So when He tells you to do something—build, go, say yes, let go—it’s because He has the blueprint. All of it.
We don’t get to demand understanding in exchange for obedience. We don’t get to say, “I’ll go if You tell me why,” or “I’ll do it if it makes sense.” That’s not obedience. That’s bargaining. And God’s not in the business of negotiating His sovereignty.
So what do we do?
We obey anyway.
Even if it costs us clarity.
Even if it costs us comfort.
Even if it costs us control.
We do the wild thing. The faith thing. The obedient thing.
We trust that He knows what He’s doing—even when we don’t.
Because His ways really are higher.
His thoughts really are wiser.
And His view? It’s wider than we can ever imagine.
Our job isn’t to know it all.
Our job is to do what He said—just because He said it.
And that, friend, is enough.
Blindfold Blueprint
Letting go of control and building your life on faith
Sometimes, what keeps us stuck isn’t a lack of faith—it’s a desire for control. We want to see the whole plan laid out before we move. We want step-by-step clarity before we say yes. But what if obedience isn’t about clarity at all? What if it’s about trust?
This exercise is going to help you let go of your need to know everything and anchor yourself in what you already do know God has said.
Start by grabbing a sheet of paper and folding it in half vertically—like a book. On the left side, I want you to write this heading at the top,
“Everything I Wish I Understood.”
Then just write. Be honest. Be raw. Pour it out.
What are the questions you keep asking God that feel unanswered? What’s making you anxious right now? What do you wish made more sense—about your life, your timing, your calling, your relationships, your money, your ministry? Let it all out. This isn’t a performance. This is a release.
It’s okay to write things like:
“I don’t understand why this door closed.”
“Why did you move me here?”
“Why is this taking so long?”
“What if I’m doing the wrong thing?”
Whatever comes to your heart, write it down. You don’t need to edit it or spiritualize it. Just be real with God. And once you’ve poured it all out, fold that side inward again. Physically close it. And here’s the key: don’t open it again today. You’ve released it to God—now let it stay in His hands.
Now, turn your attention to the right side of the page. Write this heading at the top,
“What I Do Know God Said.”
This is where you begin to gather the whispers, nudges, and clear instructions He’s already given you. They don’t have to be major life-altering visions—they might be small moments that stood out during prayer, repeated scriptures, or dreams that stirred your spirit.
Think of the times when you knew—deep down—He was speaking:
“Start the nonprofit.”
“Reach out to her.”
“Write the devotional.”
“Rest.”
“Stay.”
“Go.”
“Forgive.”
“Apply.”
“Wait.”
Write down every instruction, nudge, or moment of clarity you’ve received. Even if it doesn’t make total sense. Even if it doesn’t feel connected to a bigger plan. Even if it happened a while ago. Just get it down.
Then, once your list feels complete, I want you to take it a step further.
At the bottom of that page—or on the back if you need more space—draw a very simple outline of a house. Nothing fancy. Just the basic shape of a home. Now label the foundation with one word: Obedience.
This is the structure you’re building. Not with full knowledge. Not with control. Not with certainty. But with trust.
On this house sketch, begin labeling the rooms or spaces with only the things you know God has told you. If He said, “write,” you might label a room “Book.” If He told you to mentor, maybe one of the rooms is “Coaching.” If He told you to rest, maybe that’s your “Sabbath Room.”
And here’s the key: leave everything else blank.
Don’t try to fill in what He hasn’t revealed yet. Let the blank spaces represent your surrender. Let them be holy ground—an offering that says, “God, build the rest however You want.”
Because this blueprint? It’s not yours to finish.
You’re just responsible for building what you’ve been given.
Next Step, No Sight Challenge
Obeying even when you don’t have all the answers
We all have areas in our lives where we’re waiting. Waiting for clarity. Waiting for peace. Waiting for the perfect moment. But if you’re honest, sometimes the waiting isn’t about timing—it’s about fear. It’s about wanting to be sure before you move. Wanting to feel fully safe before you say yes.
But faith isn’t about safety. It’s about trust. And trust often looks like moving without the full picture.
So here’s your challenge: choose one area of your life where you’ve been stalled—where you’ve been saying, “I’ll move when I understand.” Then do the exact opposite. Take one small, meaningful step forward without understanding.
If you’ve felt called to write a book, open your laptop and title the first chapter. You don’t have to write the whole thing today. Just begin.
If you’ve felt led to shift careers or leave a job, update your resume or reach out to a mentor for advice. No pressure. Just a step.
If you’ve been wrestling with forgiveness, pray for that person by name. Or write the letter, even if you never send it.
If you’ve sensed God pulling you toward a big idea—starting a business, launching a ministry, or stepping out in faith—maybe your next step is as simple as researching the domain name or buying a notebook to dream with God.
Whatever your step is, take it today.
Not because you have all the details.
Not because it makes sense.
But because you trust the One who does.
Faith doesn’t always look like bold leaps.
Sometimes it’s quiet, slow, awkward movement.
But movement is still obedience.
And obedience—even when it's unsure—is the language of trust.
Declaration for Today
“God, I don’t have to understand.
I trust You anyway.
I release my need for full clarity.
I choose obedience today—imperfect, uncomfortable, faith-filled obedience.
Because You know what You’re doing… and I choose to believe that’s enough.”
Obedience doesn’t wait for details. It doesn’t demand explanations. It simply says, “Yes, Lord.” Even with shaky hands. Even with blurry vision. Even with no roadmap in sight.
So whatever your “yes” looks like today… just do the thing.
He’s already in your future. You’re just catching up to what He’s already made ready.
Faith-Filled Affirmations
I trust God’s timing, even when I don’t understand His process.
His plan for me is good, and I don’t have to see the whole picture to move forward.Obedience is my yes to heaven’s agenda.
I release control, and I choose to walk by faith, not by sight.God knows what He’s doing with my life.
Even in the unknown, I am fully seen, fully held, and fully led by Him.
Reflection Questions
Where have you been waiting for more details before obeying?
How does today’s scripture challenge your need for control?
What would it look like to trust God without needing all the answers?
Prayer Targets
Ask God to help you trust His ways over your own.
Pray for peace when obedience feels unclear.
Ask God to increase your faith so you can obey without hesitation.
Action Items
Write down one area where you need to let go of control and surrender to God’s way.
Pray and release your need to understand before obeying.
Take one action step today toward trusting God’s plan, even if you don’t see the full picture.
Song of The Day
Let this song wash over you as both a response and a reminder. Listen to the words as if God Himself is singing them directly to you:
“I will be with you... I will be with you... if you would only trust Me...”
Sometimes the clarity we crave isn’t found in explanations—it’s found in worship. Let this song become your quiet place, your reset, your release. Let every note remind you: He’s not asking you to figure it out. He’s asking you to trust Him.
Play it. Soak in it. Surrender again.
Let’s connect. Not just in the comments, not just with a double tap. I want to know what’s been on your heart. Let’s talk, dream out loud, pray if you need it, laugh if you feel like it, just real space for real conversation.
Hmm, I largely agree. That said, I also don’t think there’s anything wrong in trying to understand - sometimes, that’s where faith becomes conviction. Especially as someone who has suffered abuse in the hands of those claiming to be working on God’s behalf. Or even just those with any kind of institutional or social power over me. So I am very sensitive to control and hesitate to blindly follow. However, you largely mentioned obedience to God directly, so maybe this isn’t a relevant comment. Just wanted to share my experience too.
I also think it’s important that our idea of obedience might look different from others, because everyone is running their own race.