Finding Joy Through Obedience

In this episode of Walking With God, Hanna dives into the profound connection between obedience and joy in the Christian faith. Sharing her personal journey and reflections, she examines how aligning with God’s will, even in the face of uncertainty, leads to deep intrinsic satisfaction.

This episode also features a heartfelt conversation with Omotola Abiodun, a UW exchange student from the UK, who shares her transformative experience of integrating faith into her daily life in a new country. Together, they explore themes of spiritual obedience, the power of prayer, and the infectious nature of true joy derived from trusting in God.

This episode was created by the SLBF STUDIO. Find more media resources at https://slbf.org/studio.

Produced by Daniel Johnson, Dave Conour, and Brian Beatty

Edited by Dave Conour

Transcript

SPEAKER_02 0:11

Hey, this is Hannah and I'm Walking with God. Thanks for listening. In the past couple of weeks, I've been contemplating the topic of obedience and its importance in our faith. I see the fruit that comes from following the way of Jesus, especially when it's hard or uncertain. In my own life, I felt the presence of God tangibly after hard, difficult acts of obedience. As I continued in this thought, I felt a correlation start to form. Does our obedience to the Lord directly impact our joy? Psalm 119, verses 1 through 2 say, Blessed are those whose ways are blameless, who walk according to the law of the Lord. Blessed are those who keep his laws and seek him with all of their heart. Now when I think of the word blessed, I picture happiness, or more specifically, joy. You might be asking yourself what the difference is. I think it's in circumstance. Happiness is generally dependent on moments and events while joy remains independent, a state of intrinsic being, a satisfaction in life. Which do you experience the most? As I mentioned many times in my previous episode on childlike faith, God is faithful. When we walk in the way He is leading us, He will be with us and will not let us fall. One quote I love is obedience to God will never come back void. And obedience can look like a lot of things. For example, reading your word daily, talking about Jesus to a friend, inviting someone to church, having a hard conversation, saying no, or even reaching out to someone more. It's simply acting after being prompted by the Holy Spirit. Each of our different walks with the Lord will require different actions, but the same general idea. Surrender. For example, in the fall, I was dead set on studying abroad for my entire third year of college. I prayed and prayed and prayed some more about it. I didn't feel like I received a clear answer. However, God began to speak to me through my surroundings. He began to show me the ways he wanted to use me in the next year here in Madison. He purified my desires and followed me into a direction. After a couple months of wrestling, I found myself deciding not to go. I felt a deep sense of joy and peace. I became excited for what God was doing in my life and the next year and laid my doubts aside in which they came. And I laid them at his feet. Our stories might not look the same, but God remains. Hebrews 1 verse 9 states, You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness. Therefore, God, your God, has set you above your companions by anointing you with the oil of joy. So there is a very real joy that comes from abiding in him, the constant, never failing God He is. And we must learn to trust in that. Also in the fall, I got to meet someone who is now a really good friend of mine. Someone who has so deeply integrated herself into her faith and her community. She is profoundly obedient to the Lord, to the ways she steps out in her faith, and how infectious her inner joy is. I want to welcome my dear friend, Omatola Abioden. I hope you guys enjoyed this episode. This is Hannah and I'm Walking with God. We'll be right back. This is Hannah and I'm Walking With God. I'm here with my good friend Omatola. Girl, how are you?

SPEAKER_00 3:51

I'm good.

SPEAKER_02 3:53

So it is your first winter being spent here in Madison. How has that been for you? It's been cold. Yeah.

SPEAKER_00 4:01

And I know we're in March, but it's still going. Yeah, yeah, it's still going. It's kind of like it's a different type of cold. It's like you can feel it in your bones. It's very cold.

SPEAKER_02 4:11

It's like very, very like it just changes every day. I feel like yesterday was warm. Today now it's like 30 degrees and like it snowed yesterday. Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 4:20

Hail. Yeah, very I'm like, what's up with that? Yeah, it just keeps changing. Um, but yeah.

SPEAKER_00 4:25

But the UK is similar.

SPEAKER_02 4:27

It's like quite one day it will be like sunny, the next is really is the spring actually a spring, or is it like uh like one or two or three days? Yeah, we'll have like three days because we just jump into summer at some point. Yeah, I don't even know what the transition is, to be honest with you. It just happens. Yeah. But but yeah, I'm so glad you're here. I really wanted to talk about joy with you because I think it was a couple weeks ago at New Culture College, we were talking about joy, and I just looked at you and I was like, this girl got it.

SPEAKER_01 4:56

Like, you got it.

SPEAKER_02 4:58

And I feel like you always come in, you're very consistent in your joy too. Like, I feel like it's not wavering. Um, and I wanted just to kind of as we begin, I'm gassing you up, but like you're amazing. And I think um there's so much that I feel like I've learned from you just by being around you. Um, you're like, no, no, you're so amazing. And yeah, I think you should know that before we start. But what is I I'm I just said it, but what is your name? Um, and then like a bit of your background, and yeah.

SPEAKER_00 5:29

Um yeah, so my name is Omatola Abyoden, and I'm from the UK. Um yeah, I'm doing an exchange year here for the um full year. And yeah, I always um my parents are Christian, so like I grew up in the faith kind of. Um, and yeah, they definitely planted that seed. Yeah. And so, but I definitely fell away like when I was like six, my teenage years, anyways. And then I just felt the Lord just calling me. Um, and it was very like incremental, it was slow. Um, that's my story.

SPEAKER_02 6:06

Yeah, so like when when you came, because I really feel like we have to emphasize this, because it's really wild. Because like the way that I met you, I was just like working at front desk and I was like, oh hi, because you were with Nana. And I was like, oh my gosh, hi. And you were already invested in a ministry on campus.

SPEAKER_00 6:22

So tell me how you got into that. Um, so I knew coming here that I wanted to be intentional with my faith because beforehand I'd not been intentional at all, and I just felt a calling in that way, and so I went to Doxa um like the first Sunday I got here, and then I turned out to meet like one of my good friends there as well, and she invited me to um the ministry salt, and since then I've just been like going there consistently, and yeah, it's wild.

SPEAKER_02 6:56

Like you were already invested. That was like the second week of school. I was like, oh my gosh, woman of God. And it's just wild because you're not like it's like a new space, you're integrating yourself. So I just feel like that's so notable. Like that's insane. Yeah. Um, but like kind of going off that point because I'm sure that you've experienced many moments of like, wow, like I am not home right now. This is crazy. So, like, what is one or a couple ways even that got a surprise to you in your time here?

SPEAKER_00 7:25

Um, I think just like a confirmation that I was supposed to be here was when I um when I first landed in Chicago, um, I was sat like at depart, no, at arrivals, just waiting for my cousin to pick me up. And this woman, um, she came up to me and she's like, What's my name? And I'm like, Oh, my name's Obatollah. Um, but I was a bit skeptical. So I was like, why are you asking? Like, why are you asking me my name? And then she's like, Oh, my name is Susan, like, I want to pray for you. And that's insane. That moment is just like I was like, What? You're just like, hello. Yeah, I was like, hello. She's like, Yeah, Jesus loves you and I want to pray for you. And like she wrote my name down, and like in her journal, she had like all the names of people that she was praying for. And like, it was just so it was just such a confirmation moment. I was like, Lord, like thank you so much. Because I just traveled all this way. I'm in a new country, I don't know what I'm doing. Um, but you sent somebody to come and meet me and to tell me, like, you're you can see me, like you're watching me, um, and that you love me. And so, yeah, that was like the first definite. That's like day one. Yeah, that was just so you know, like you're meant to be here right now.

SPEAKER_01 8:35

Yeah, definitely. I was like, what? Yeah, that's just at Chicago, like is that that was O'Hare, right?

SPEAKER_02 8:41

O'Hare Airport at O'Hare too is crazy because O'Hare is huge. I'm like, yes, and it can really feel like isolating, especially if you're by yourself, new country. God is so intentional. I will keep saying it. God is so intentional.

SPEAKER_00 8:53

Yeah, definitely.

SPEAKER_02 8:54

Shout out Susan. Literally, shout out Susan and Susan's obedience. Yes.

SPEAKER_01 9:00

Shout out her obedience.

SPEAKER_02 9:01

Because I know that probably was maybe she was like, this is kind of awkward, but I want to let her know. Like, God loves her. Yeah. Um, kind of went off that point then. Like, is there anyone besides Susan? Shout out Susan, though. Um, aside from Susan, where like you felt like their obedience had lit something up in your life, or had kind of maybe even when you're talking about your testimony briefly, like people along the way who've because they were walking in the way of the Lord so intently, or in a certain manner that you were like, like what? Or like that they that their obedience kind of impacted you.

SPEAKER_00 9:36

Yeah, I think one of my friends from that I met in university as well, um, shout out Manubia. Shout out. And she she was also, she always like handled me with grace, and I think that's so important. Um, because I wasn't like as mature in my faith as her, but she would tell me about how like she read reads the Bible every day and like how people um prophesied to her about things, and like I would look at her like, okay, she's kind of crazy. Like, I don't know what you're talking about. Um, but like she would just continuously do it, and um, I'm just very thankful for her. She's definitely a vessel, and um yeah, she she's a person that told me I I remember we were having a conversation and I was like, I just don't know how like to hear from God. And she's like, Have you ever have you read your Bible? And I was like, Oh, I didn't I genuinely didn't think to read my Bible, like at all. But yeah, she just told me that. And then since that moment, I was like, you know what? Yeah, maybe I should listen to her. So um, and since then, yeah.

SPEAKER_02 10:38

Yeah, that's crazy. Yeah, that's crazy because I I feel like I've also had similar experiences where like my mom, for example, she's super, she's always been very serious about her face. I'm like, okay, girl, like whatever. Like for first, like the first 18 years of my life, like, yeah, okay, sounds good. And then like it really hits like a truck. Like, I need to hear from God. And then you open up the like the Bible, and it's like, you're right, like you're everywhere. You're you're right here. Yes, and you're speaking to me. And one thing that I always have to think about is like, um, if you are like a trustworthy person, or like if you hold true to your word, like you are your word. And like, you know how it says in John 1, it's like the be in the beginning was the word, the word was with God, the word was God. It's like he's gonna hold true to what he says, and he's gonna hold true to who he is. So that is very valid. We have the biblical literacy, guys. We must lock it. Yes. Um, I wanted to talk about, I was talking about my mom a little bit, but I'm curious, like, because you mentioned briefly like your parents and growing up in a Christian home. Um, what was that like for you? And how did that shape you, but also like how is it continuing to shape you? Cause I know that I've I met your mom and she's amazing. And that conversation was amazing. But whatever you like, you want to share, I'd love to hear that.

SPEAKER_00 11:50

Um, so it was my mom's always like instilled like prayer within us, like always. Like she's like, pray before you go to bed. Um, and like if anything, just pray. And so, like, before I would go to bed, like every night, I would always pray, but it was like the same prayer, you know. I wasn't really, I was just doing it for like a yeah, for that sake. So, um, but when I like struggled a lot with like anxiety, um, I never thought to pray about it until like one day I just did. And then the next day, like I it's almost like I forgot about like my anxieties and stuff like that. And then I was like, wait, I'm not like thinking this anymore, like what's going on? And it was because I had prayed, like I linked it back. And so I just continuously like um persistently prayed. And um so yeah, my mum definitely like planted that seed, and my father also, and like as I'm getting older, um, I'm seeing like their faith as well. Because I feel like as a kid, um, it's not that they weren't faithful, but like I just wasn't noticing. But now I notice and I'm like, oh wow, like yeah, you guys are faithful. And like looking back and seeing their like sacrificial love towards me. Um, like when people in the world like weren't like kind to me or weren't nice in a way, I can always see God's love through them. And so, like, in that way, I'm so like thankful. Looking back, I'm like, wow, like Lord, you really did love me because you love me through my parents, like you blessed me with these people. Absolutely, and so yeah, yeah.

SPEAKER_02 13:24

And love, I mean, obedience. I feel like obedience and love kind of have this beautiful relationship, especially as we're walking as Christians. Like, yeah, and I'm currently reading like this like secular book called All About Love by Bell Hooks. Shoutouts Bell Hooks. Um but a lot of what it just it really baseline explains like what is love? What does that mean? Because it's so abstract in our society, but like I think that it's I mean, I'm sure for both of us, like it's given us an actual, like Jesus Christ gave us is giving us a framework of what it is, and a lot of it was obedience, is obedience for him, um, and obedient to death, and that's so deeply profound. And I think that especially in the season of Lent, like really deeping it, like considering the cross has been really on my heart, and yeah, I'm like I'm curious about like even like biblical stories that you feel like wow, like that was such a beautiful act of obedience that that you kind of marinate on sometimes. For me, it's Steven from Acts. I like weep thinking about Steven. But do you have someone that you're like, wow, that's wild.

SPEAKER_00 14:33

Um I think Ruth. Yeah, I always think about um Ruth and how um a lot of people say it's like a love story. I I agree, but I also think it's like a redemption story, absolutely, um, and like her obedience to just um Naomi and Yeah, I just I think I just love her obedience. Yeah. That was beautiful. So that's what I always think about. Yeah.

SPEAKER_02 15:03

That's real. Um, and then moving from your like parents, kind of like generationally speaking, how do you see I mean we did talk about this a couple weeks ago with like your mom, wonderful woman of God. Um, but how do you think because of like how the way that they were, how how do you think that that's like impacted your own faithfulness to God and like yeah, that's the question, yeah.

SPEAKER_00 15:30

I think it's very inspiring. Um and it just shows me that no matter what, no matter my circumstance, that I just need to like focus on the Lord um and just keep walking in that way. And I think I even think about my grandma because she was a woman like ah, like she was very much she loved the Lord, um, and I'm very thankful for her. And I always think about how I know that she prayed for me as well, and so like to just fulfill those prayers, um and just this is this is generations, like we're just impacting like generations, you know. So yeah, yeah, it's kind of like an honor to be like a woman of God and like it really just keep going, yeah, you know.

SPEAKER_02 16:19

I really get that because I think of the fruit, the fruit of prayer, because I feel like prayer, I mean you mentioned it, but prayer really is a part of this whole like topic of obedience because I know people who I don't even talk to anymore, really, but I know for a fact they like go in their secret place and they're thinking of me. And it's really, it's really crazy. Like even my my grandma, she passed away maybe like 12 years ago now, but um, she was also super faithful and um and amazing, and um yeah, love her down, miss her. Um, but she like my mom grew up like in that space of praying, of fasting, of praying in tongues, like all these very spiritual disciplines, um, and being around her. Like, I honestly wish I like knew her in my like adult age, so I could like understand it fully. But all these beautiful like people that pour into you and like pour into and then you can pour on to the next is really beautiful, and it makes me think about Hebrews 11. I can't help but think about Hebrews 11. Yeah, but like the um talking about Old Testament characters and then like talking about how their faith, like they never actually saw that fruit of it, but like it happened, like things happened, but like the the the portion was Christ, which is always important to think about, I think. Um but yeah, um this is kind of a more of an abstract question, but you are like so joyful. Like, I don't know, I've never actually I mean, I'm sure you get upset, like that's part of the human existence, but you're always like you're like very positive, looking on like the bright side. Um, how do you think like that is God is like contributing to that? And then also like what do you think like the main is it? I mean, I I know it's like not on your own strength that you are that way, but even the the idea of like the Lord is my strength, how do you interpret that? How do you understand that? Um, I know it's very nuanced for different people, so yeah, I'm curious.

SPEAKER_00 18:11

Um I think of it is I think joy is a product of obedience, and so um I always think of like the Lord is just like just follow me and like through prayer, through reading my word, and like I think through that consistency, that's where like my joy has come from because like I know how the story ends and um I know that like anxiety is rooted in like the fear of death and so um it's combating that and also knowing that my thoughts and like my feelings um are not what I should rely upon. I should reply rely upon the word of God, yeah, um, because that doesn't change. Um and so I think that's where my um joy comes from. And I was very joyful as a child also, like I've always had that um joy, um, but definitely it like dissipated or withered throughout my um like teenage years because of like the thoughts that I was having or like the world or like opinions that people were putting on me. Um, but now I understand it's kind of like a gift to have that. And so I think he's just um bringing me back to my like childlike ways.

SPEAKER_02 19:38

Yeah, yeah, not that childlike joy of like I'm just trusting. Yes, because I feel like people are very cynical these days, like why like why are you so happy?

SPEAKER_01 19:48

It's like am I not supposed to be?

SPEAKER_02 19:51

But we live in a dark, dark world, and yeah, so I I really resonate with what you're saying about just like well, I trust, I trust him. So like I'm lit. And that is that is like part of that's so uh that's like the biggest part of that joy is like it's not on me. So I'm like I'm and I know that the one who like is doing it is able to do it, and like he created everything. What can't he do? Yeah, so I think that that's a really good perspective to have that I think even for me sometimes it's hard to to grasp. So I'm glad you said that. I think that it's good to know. Um but yeah, what is one word one? You can do one or three, because I like that like one or three. Okay. One or three words, and I want you to describe like why you're choosing these words to describe God in this season right now.

SPEAKER_00 20:44

Um I'll do the one. Okay. Um, but I think restorative. Um because I think as I said, like about childlike faith, I think he's like restoring me back to that. And also like in relationships and like friendships, he's just like building me in a way um that is I think like Christ-like. Um and it definitely has not been easy. He's like using people in my life that I never thought would um like in humbling me and like getting me to change my character as well. Um and so I think restorative, and that's kind of like comforting to me because um he's just building me in a way, yeah.

SPEAKER_02 21:37

So and you're talking about being built and being challenged a lot in this time. And I know that we've had a lot of like evangelism experiences where it's like, oh, this is hard. How do you because I know we we kind of have to like push through because like wow, eternity is long. Yeah, but like what how else do you think? Like, what do you think about when you go? Into those situations. How do you communicate with God about those things? Um about evangelism. Evangelism is like a part of it, but just like the moments where you know this is something you're called to be doing. Okay. And it's gonna be hard.

SPEAKER_00 22:17

Yeah. Yeah, it's definitely tough. I definitely like I pray a lot about it. Um and yeah, that's a great question. I think I just have to like ponder on it a lot, but not in the sense of be out of fear, yeah, but because I just want to know that it's like the right thing to do. And also I think the Lord can use like anything and anyone to like um move you closer to Him.

SPEAKER_03 22:47

Absolutely.

SPEAKER_00 22:48

Um and so and I also have like a couple key verses, like um, well, I don't know the specific, but I know it's in Isaiah, and it's like uh my thoughts are not your thoughts, my ways are not your ways. Yeah. Um and I think about that a lot. Um and there's Romans 12, too, and it's like do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. And so that was like it starts there. Yes, it starts in the mind. Um and so in that way, I have to um I was praying a lot about um being able to discern like the Lord's word from my own thoughts. Like what's he telling me and what am I thinking? Um and I should listen to like what he's telling me. Um, and to do that, I have to read the word more and like know what what his voice sounds like, you know?

SPEAKER_02 23:43

So absolutely. And you're very like, how do I say it? Like you're very good at like keeping a routine, I feel like. Um and I've asked this question on previous podcasts, so I have to ask it now. But like, how do you balance the I'm I'm gonna pray because I know it's good, and like even if I don't feel like it, I'm gonna pray, versus like anyone spending time with God, like I know it's good, even though today I'm like tired or I don't know what to say, or like it's it's confusing or doubtful, versus like I need my father right now. Like, how do you balance the two while trying to maintain a consistent like prayer like conversation with God throughout your life every day? Yeah, does that make sense? Yeah.

SPEAKER_00 24:26

Um I think when I don't want to pray, I always think about who doesn't want me to pray.

SPEAKER_01 24:34

Uh the devil.

SPEAKER_02 24:37

Do you also forget that he exists sometimes?

SPEAKER_01 24:39

Okay, yes, I do be. So I'm like, who's praying on my downfall?

SPEAKER_00 24:43

The one who hates me. Like, yeah, exactly. So I do be thinking about, I'm like, no, I can't let you in today. Like, no, not today. Um, and then a lot of the times, sometimes when I'm out, I'm like, I need to pray right now. Like, I just do. And so I think I don't know if there's a balance, but I know there's a rhythm. Okay, talk about that. So I I just I think different days can be like maybe you need the Lord more. I guess we always need the Lord, but like, like some days are harder. So um you might need to like pray more, and some days um aren't as hard, but you still need to like praise God. So I definitely think there's a rhythm to like your prayer life. Um, and the rhythm shouldn't stop ever. Um please keep praying. So yeah, that's that's what I would say.

SPEAKER_02 25:44

Yeah, I I feel that rhythm thing so much. And I I have a lot of mentors who will also say like rhythms overbalance because some things have more weight than others. Yes, exactly. And there's a yeah, there's a deep, like I'm gonna get out in Tanta a little bit right here, but like a very individualistic moment we're having right now, like very, very, very like it was already individualistic in America, but now we're getting really deep, like day in the life of like a girl who's like super ambitious and like nine to five and five to nine or whatever, all these things. And it's like, okay, wait, because a lot of it, it's very good to be ambitious, but I think at times it can be self-seeking, and then we can miss an opportunity from God to like um not be as structured, which I think sometimes can be holy, sometimes can be like, okay, when you need to be structured. Um, but kind of to my point of just being like, Okay, what do you want from me today? Like, I know that there is someone, I forget who told me this, but there is like an older guy who would wake up every day and be like, his prayer was, what work do you have for me to do today? And that's it. That was his prayer. Like, obviously, it's like, thank you for this like this day, and which is amazing. But being like, What do you need from me? Like, how can I love you? Because love is a verb, by doing your will and being a partner in you and that. And I'm now I'm inspired to do that because I'm like, really? Like, am I just frank for myself and like my friends who are already in Christ? But like, what do you want me to do for the people who may not know you or stuff like that? But, anyways, all good points, all good things, and I really agree with the rhythm. So it's really important to note that. Um, but yeah, so like God has placed you across the globe currently, which I think is amazing. I'm like, almost hell it really is British. I'm just like, you're yeah, I'm just like glad to have met you because like what this just feels very God ordained because it's like you're not, this is just not supposed to happen, but it did. And I'm like, okay, God, like this is very intentional of you. Um, but like from where God has placed you here, like how do you feel like he's been using you and like kind of transforming you in this time? Like, why what is so like special about this time, I guess, in your walk with the Lord?

SPEAKER_00 27:59

Um, yeah, I think he's just placed proper like fellowship and like discipleship in my life. Wow. Um, that I didn't have before. Yeah. And I think um I was quite isolated before. So like being here and like stewarding friendships and like in a godly manner. Um I think and him increasing my faith here too. Like he's genuinely like built up my faith. And like, you're strong, bro. You're like, yeah, yeah.

SPEAKER_01 28:28

It's like, Jesus is so good. I'm like, yeah, like, wait, I need to get up.

SPEAKER_00 28:32

Like, I need I do try, like, yeah. So yeah, definitely coming here because I've experienced where like people are very against like the Lord, they don't like to talk about it. Like, it's very much there's a lot of hope there. Um, so coming here and it's like welcoming um has allowed me to like be built in a way, so then when I go back, I can be that person that's like trust the Lord, you know, like and like we live, yeah. Yeah, in a different way. So it's very exciting, and I'm excited to see uh where he takes all of us. I'm saying it's like what are we doing in five years?

SPEAKER_02 29:12

Yeah. But when you're talking about because I feel like I've heard a lot of like studies, I think that even during church one day we were talking about this, but like the fact that I think a lot of Europe is like post-Christian.

SPEAKER_00 29:26

Yeah.

SPEAKER_02 29:27

What is that like?

SPEAKER_00 29:28

Um, it's very like so there are a lot of um atheists, so um it's very not like welcoming.

SPEAKER_03 29:38

Yeah.

SPEAKER_00 29:39

And they so when I would come here and people I'll be like, oh, I'm Christian, and they're like, Oh, that's great. I would be like, Oh yeah, it's cool.

SPEAKER_02 29:48

Because also Christian here is um a bit subjective. Yeah, it's kind of loose tone. Yeah, because yeah, there's just a lot of different ways to put it. I get what you're saying, yeah.

SPEAKER_00 29:57

Yeah. So um back home, it's a bit different, they're very um just not welcoming, I guess. Yeah. Um so it's definitely been different.

SPEAKER_02 30:10

Absolutely. Yeah. Do you feel I'm sad you're leaving, so go back.

SPEAKER_01 30:15

I don't want you to leave.

SPEAKER_02 30:18

Um, but when you go back, what are some things that you're like, I feel more ready to implement this into my daily life when I get back? Um that you might not have before.

SPEAKER_00 30:28

Yeah, I think um definitely reading the Bible consistently. Um and then just having like chats with my like um like other friends of women of God as well, and like um people in Christ, just like in general, like just talking about God because we can and we because we love him, you know? Right. And so um, and also not being like fearful to bring up the Lord, because I feel like I was before.

SPEAKER_02 30:59

I feel like bringing him into a space, even without the um the hope of conversion, so to speak. Yeah, there is so much power in that too. Yeah, because if I like I've the amount of times I'm in my English class and they're like, we're just talking, and I'm like, yeah, Jesus. Yeah. They're like, oh, because like if I say like, I mean, God is it's just like too broad sometimes. People are like, well, God can be anything, but saying the name of Jesus is so crazy. Like it's it's out, it's out there, it really is, even in like America, which is considered a Christian country. Um but yeah, I'm I'm like really excited for you to like because you I just feel like you've just like invested yourself into so many different spaces and different people that like I can see even from like September to now, so much growth and so much just like sanctification and the process of it just being like it's just like happening to you constantly. And I yeah, I'm just really like ex I'm really excited for you and I'm um yeah, but I have one more question. Okay. Um kind of obedience is hard. Obedience is deeply uncomfortable, um it's disruptive, like the gospel is disruptive. Um, and this can be in any sense, but following the spirit is hard because it is not at all what anyone else is doing, even other Christians. Um, so how do you stay focused on like maintaining a heavenly perspective and like how do you basically how do you like keep yourself in alignment? Not keep yourself, but like allow God to like how does that work for you?

SPEAKER_00 32:41

Um yeah, I think a key thing that the Lord um is walking with me through and like teaching me is patience, and so it's not easy at all, yeah. Um, but I think it's he's not um teaching me patience to like torture me, it's to prepare me. And so um I always think about how like if he blesses me with something when I'm not ready, I can like forfeit it or like not know how to steward the blessing, you know? And so I'm always like, okay, well, I'm not ready for that, so let me like be built into being ready for that. Wow. Um and so that's how I just continue. I'm just like, I just want to seek you. Um, it doesn't matter like what anybody else around me is doing, like, let me focus on the Lord because ultimately um he knows what he's doing. So let me, it's kind of like relinquishing control. Yeah, absolutely. And it's really hard to do because we want to be like, oh, I want to do this, I want to do that. Um, but I find a lot of peace in just saying, like, okay, let me focus on today. What does the Lord want for me? Um, let me follow him today.

SPEAKER_02 33:58

And um yeah. And there's a beauty in staying present. Because I thought that's like actually he's asking us for our whole heart. But like a lot of it, I feel like our whole heart would be like our attention. Cause there's a movie that I love called Lady Bird. Um I I love that movie. We've oh my gosh, yeah, we both love movies. Anyways, um, and in the like the nun is like she's talking to uh Christine and she's just like, I hate Sacramento, and she's reading her um essay or whatever about college essay, and it's all about Sacramento and it's in deep detail. And she's like, You clearly love it though. And she's like, Well, what do you mean? Like, I hate it here, I want to go to New York. And then she's like, No, love is attention, like you see everything because you're like you're giving your heart that space to like see the detail.

SPEAKER_03 34:47

Yeah.

SPEAKER_02 34:47

So I think that that's a big part of it. Um, but yeah, that's sorry, I love that movie. Okay, but like even thinking about all these like things of obedience and like moving in that direction, sanctification, which we briefly mentioned, like it's gonna be hard. It's gonna be but it's gonna transform you. And even when you're talking, I saw this thing recently on the internet about just like there's this girl just talking to like a I think it was her friends, and she was like, a lot of us pray like for God's will to be done, which is good, but she was like, one thing that God was pressing on her heart, which might relate to your talking about patience, is like, I want your will to be done on in my life on your time. Like, I want it to be on your time, yeah. And I want to be willing to wait for the the thing that you want to give me. Because he will like he'll he's just preparing us for that moment. And it I feel like clocked sometimes because like even thinking about like future plans, I'm like, God, can I just have it now? But he's like, but like the idea of like if God is a good father, like he would have already given it to me if I was ready for it. If I'm if he's not if it's not here, I'm probably not ready for it. I probably idolize it and just whatever, turn into the Israelites, like you know with the cough.

SPEAKER_01 36:05

Yeah, it's like bro, what are you doing?

SPEAKER_02 36:07

Um yeah, and even like the I mean, briefly, like the fear of man. We were talking like that a lot of it is rooted in that, and you're saying like going there and just like leaving the certain like circuit riders when they came, they were talking about leaving your um reputation in the room when we went to go evangelize. And a lot, I think a big part of it too is just like I'm yours. Yes, let me be used for your glory.

SPEAKER_00 36:35

Yeah.

SPEAKER_02 36:36

Um, and I really do think you are being greatly used. And I mean, you didn't mention it, but you're in the law school right now, which is so cool. And I just think that God has a lot of plans for you in your life, and you you probably probably can't see it. But like you, you are like actually so amazing. And it's honestly such an honor to like know you, to experience the joy that you have.

SPEAKER_01 37:00

It's really infectious when we're sitting down during like a small group and you're like, Yeah, guys, like I was watching this podcast today about Michael. Sorry, Philip Mitchell, is that Philip Anthony Mitchell? Shout out. And I'm like, absolutely, yes. Just like so, so deeply joyful. And I'm like, Lord, get her on the podcast.

SPEAKER_02 37:23

Thank you for having me. Thanks so much for coming. I really appreciate you, and appreciate you too. Yeah, thank you. This is so nice. All right. Bye. Bye.