Obedience never comes naturally. Just look at a two-year-old child. They don’t need to be taught to be defiant. It’s instinctual. And for most of my life, I followed that instinct.
It took eight trips to jail and a lifetime of pain before I finally got on my knees and surrendered my life to God. In that moment, I stepped down as the decision maker and asked God to be my Commander and King. But obeying Him required a level of trust that didn’t come easily.
I was about two years into my faith walk when I graduated from the Phoenix Rescue Mission and reentered society. That’s when I heard the Holy Spirit say: “Sheridan, you are a woman of responsibility and integrity. It’s time to clean up the child support you owe.”
My stomach dropped. I was barely making ends meet, despite working two jobs. I was on Medicaid, ate from food banks, and was paying off probation fees. I didn’t have a dollar to spare, much less to pay the extra commitment of $500 a month.
But God wasn’t concerned about my current circumstances. He cared more about developing my character so others could trust me.
Seven years earlier, in my divorce, the court had given custody of my children to their father and ordered me to pay full child support. Their father had told me he didn’t expect me to pay, so I didn’t. Honestly, my bitter soul didn’t intend to give him a dime.
But God didn’t care that my ex-husband had let me off the hook. God wanted obedience, and I knew it was my only option if I wanted all that He had in store for me. So, with fear and trembling, I said, “Yes, Sir,” and started the legal process.
I was given the option to relinquish my parental rights and walk away from the debt. No one believed I could pay back the amount I owed. In fact, they were sure I’d end up in jail for missed payments.
According to the math, the skeptics were right. It would take three decades to meet the terms of the agreement, and that’s if I had the money. But God kept urging me to trust Him.
In court, the judge told me to grow up and get a “real job.” She knew I worked in ministry that paid little.
I replied with the only thing I could say: “God has called me to ministry, and I will be found faithful.” I couldn’t leave the ministry where God had called me to serve, to do what He was now asking me to do. He hadn’t released me from that place, so I stood my ground and signed on the line.
When I got to the car, I had a major meltdown. “Lord, this hurts!” I screamed, feeling so humiliated. “I don’t know how You’re going to provide, but I trust You.”
He wasted no time in proving Himself faithful. Two days later, the ministry I’d been working for offered me a full-time, salaried position with enough money to pay all my bills, cover probation fees, purchase food, save, and start paying off every dime I owed. Won’t He do it?! Yes, He will! Our Lord can do anything!
Is God asking you to do something impossible? I know obedience is difficult. God’s instructions seldom come with a map or explanation of how it will all work out, but it’s okay. Take that step of faith anyway. As you trust the heart of the One calling you out and move with Him, you will witness His faithfulness. His provision will follow your obedience.
It’s been six years since I signed that agreement, and I am well on my way to paying off that massive balance. God has provided for my needs through my job, my husband, and even through the other parents.
Today I see how doing the hard, right thing opened the doors to restoration of relationships and the reclaiming of my motherhood. And that was worth every sacrifice.
Trust and obey God, even if what He’s asking defies logic (Proverbs 3:5–6). Something wonderful awaits you on the other side of obedience.
Sheridan Correa is a trauma-informed biblical counselor who serves as the wellness program director for Victorious Living. A wife and mother of two teenage boys, Sheridan has been radically changed by Jesus.
