SUNDAY IS HERE:
In honor of my mentors in Christ—women like Juanice Tomlinson, Gayle Shaw, Kay Arthur, and my dear husband Keith—I’m beginning a Sunday blog. This space will be informal, unfiltered, and straight from my heart to yours.
I don’t know exactly where God will lead me through these Sunday reflections. Some posts may be raw, but they will always be real.
So here we go:
Sunday #1
We Must Obey God Rather Than Men
Have you ever found yourself in a painful place simply because you chose to follow Jesus wholeheartedly? I believe someone needs a word of encouragement today. I can personally think of at least five distinct times when obeying the Lord meant disappointing people I cared about.
The first time, I was young in my faith. I allowed the voices of well-meaning believers to steer me away from what God had clearly instructed. The result? God graciously withdrew His hand from that situation, and I had to walk it out in my own strength. That experience left a deep impression on me. It broke my heart—not just because of the outcome, but because I knew I had grieved the heart of my Redeemer.
That day, I made a vow:
“No matter what, no matter who may be disappointed in me,
I will never knowingly disobey the clear instruction of the Lord again.”
By God’s grace, I’ve kept that promise. It hasn’t always been easy, but it has been worth it. The joy of obedience has become its own reward.
There have been other moments—four more that come to mind—when obeying God cost me something.
• I lost friendships.
• I lost respect in certain circles.
• I lost personal comfort.
Each time, the sacrifice felt heavy at first. Painful, even. But what felt like loss at the time turned into lasting gain in the long run. As I obeyed, God did what only He can do:
• He grew my faith.
• He steadied my heart.
• He gave me peace.
• He blessed my family.
• He deepened my relationship with Him.
Even when others misjudged my motives, condemned my decisions, or spoke hurtful things behind my back—or to my face—I discovered something powerful: obeying God is always better than pleasing people.
Through it all, I’ve come to know the strength and nearness of the Lord like never before. He has been my constant friend, preparing a table of abundance in the very presence of those who doubted me. And in each new season, He’s given joy, peace, and blessings that only He could provide.
Jesus once said that while we are called to love all people, we must entrust our hearts only to Him. I’ve learned the wisdom of that. Even the kindest, most sincere people can unintentionally guide us based on their own limited understanding or fears. I’ve done the same to others.
But God’s perspective is different. His ways are higher. He sees the end from the beginning. While I often rely on what I can see—or what others see—He is the One who truly knows best. He’s taught me to rest in this truth:
“I have been crucified with Christ [that is, in Him I have shared His crucifixion]; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body I live by faith [by adhering to, relying on, and completely trusting] in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.”
Galatians 2:20 AMP
So, if my obedience to God has ever caused disappointment or confusion, please know—it was never out of disregard for others. I’ve simply tried to follow where God is leading, even when I didn’t fully understand why. Again and again, He’s shown me the purpose after the obedience.
If you’re in a difficult place of choosing between following God’s voice or yielding to the expectations of others, I want to pray for you. Just comment “ME,” and I will lift you up in prayer this week.
May your Sunday be filled with peace and courage as you walk out your salvation—boldly, joyfully, and faithfully.
With love and grace,
Leeanna 💕