The Power of Showing Up: A Story of Friendship and Faith
February 20, 2025Many of us struggle with surrendering to God, holding tightly to our own ambitions and desires. Society often defines success through wealth, status, and achievement, but what happens when God calls us to let go of those pursuits? True peace comes when we learn to trust God’s plan, even when it challenges our understanding of success.
Letting go of control is never easy. We are wired to make plans, set goals, and measure our progress by worldly standards. But when we hold on too tightly, we leave little room for God to work. Humility in faith means recognizing that His ways are higher than ours, even when they seem unclear.
Faith Over Worldly Success: A Personal Story
There was a time when I believed success was defined by career achievements. I poured myself into work, striving for recognition and security. But deep down, I felt restless. Was I truly following God’s plan, or just my own ambition?
You see my relationship with the corporate world was always love-hate. At one point, I felt God calling me to leave a successful job and start my own business. I told my wife, and after much prayer, we both agreed to take the leap, even though we had no real savings or financial safety net. I quit my job and launched a new business in marketing specifically geared towards Christian businesses. At first, we saw success, but soon, a corporate opportunity came along. People I knew from my publishing past came calling and were seeking my help. So, what did I do? I chased the money. I pushed aside the smaller clients that God had brought to me, thinking the bigger paychecks were His way of providing.
For a time, everything seemed to go well—until it didn’t. When negotiations with the corporate client collapsed, leaving me unable to support the staff I needed, I had already lost the clients I was truly meant to serve. Suddenly, we were left with no income, growing debt, and no clear path ahead. It was in that moment I recognized my mistake—I had stopped listening to God and started pursuing worldly success instead.
In that moment of surrender, we gave up everything. I returned two cars to the bank and we filed for bankruptcy. It was humbling, but I knew God was still with us. After months of praying for any job, I accepted a position stocking shelves for $6 an hour. The very day I was set to start, I received a call from another potential employer offering me a better position at double the pay. I didn’t hesitate—I said yes.
Through this experience, I learned that surrendering to God, even when it feels like you’re giving up everything, leads to His greater plan. When I was willing to accept the small, He blessed me with something more.
It wasn’t until I faced an unexpected challenge that I realized the power of trusting God’s plan over my own. Through prayer and reflection, I began to see that surrendering wasn’t about giving up—it was about gaining something greater: God’s provision, peace, and purpose.
Trusting God’s Plan When Life Doesn’t Make Sense
Surrender requires faith, especially when the path ahead seems uncertain. The Bible is filled with stories of those who let go of their own plans to embrace God’s calling—Abraham leaving his homeland, Peter stepping out of the boat, and countless others who discovered that obedience leads to unexpected blessings.
When we stop striving for worldly success and start seeking God’s will, we open ourselves to a life of deeper meaning and fulfillment.
Final Reflection: Letting Go to Receive More
Surrendering to God is not about loss—it’s about making space for something greater. When we release our grip on our own plans, we give God the freedom to move in ways we never imagined.
Have you ever experienced a moment where trusting God’s plan changed everything for you? Share your story in the comments below!
