I am in week six of Beth Moore’s bible study, Esther: It’s Tough Being a Woman.  This may be my favorite one of her studies so far…though I probably say that about every study.

Last week’s video has stuck with me.  Beth talked about how Esther was called to take certain actions without knowing how it would all play out.  I was reminded that…We are called to be obedient in the “what” – God will bring the “how.”  I loved that and have been thinking about it often this week.  As Beth states…It’s tough being a woman who feels responsible for the “how.”  Isn’t that how we are wired though…always thinking through all the scenarios and possible outcomes.  We look at circumstances around us and then begin to worry about how God will work it for good…or how He is ever going to fulfill the promises we know He has made to us.

I thought of this lesson as I was reading in Ezekiel this morning…

You shall speak My words to them, whether they hear or whether they refuse, for they are rebellious.  – Ezekiel 2:7

God gave Ezekiel the what…He was to go to the rebellious, impudent and stubborn children of Israel and he was to tell them the words of the Lord.  Chances were very high that they were not going to listen to him.  I imagine there was the possibility of imprisonment or death because the Lord tells Ezekiel to not be afraid of them or their words.  I imagine there was the possibility…even likelihood…of being mocked and humiliated.  But, God was not letting Ezekiel cower in fear or even consider the possibility of disobedience.

But you, son of man, hear what I say to you.  Do not be rebellious like that rebellious house; open your mouth and eat what I give you.  – Ezekiel 2:8

But you…don’t pay any attention to what they say or how they appear…you just listen to what I’m saying…you just do what I’m telling you to do.

Ezekiel did not know how it was going to turn out.  He did not know how he, or his words, would be received by the children of Israel.  He did not know the how…but he was certainly called to be obedient in the what.

I pray that I will be obedient in the what that God calls me to…that I would not concern myself with the opinions of others…or obstacles that loom over me…or fear of failure.

My desire is that I would not base my obedience in the what on whether or not I can figure out the how.