God is with you and for you
Recently, I shared the joy of witnessing my oldest daughter, Kyla, graduate from college summa cum laude. It was an amazing moment for a few reasons.
Kyla maintained a 4.0 GPA each semester and walked across the stage at the top of her class. She is our first child to complete college. And there is a third reason that speaks to the overwhelming joy I feel.
Kyla Hobbs
When Kyla was in first grade, we located from Buffalo to Delaware. God instructed me to withdraw her from traditional school and begin homeschooling her.
Do what? I thought. Homeschool? What, even, is that?
I was totally intimidated by the assignment! In fact, God had to confirm and reconfirm His word to get me to move on it. Kenya and I both agreed and believed we were being led by the Lord. However, without any personal examples of homeschooling success to draw from, we felt alone, hesitant, and fearful of messing this thing up.
Sure, we knew the popular saying, “Whomever the Lord calls, He equips.” Even so, we didn’t feel equipped in the least.
I recall the day I revealed to my parents that God told me to homeschool Kyla and the rest of the children, too. Mom and Dad were trying to be as supportive as they could, but the tones in their voices and the nature of their questions were dead giveaways that they were quite concerned. And hey, I get it. It was a tough pill for me to swallow as well.
In my family and community, homeschooling was not a thing. It has gained more popularity now, but this was almost 20 years ago. Back then, where I’m from, homeschooling was considered weird, unrealistic, and a path to educational ruin. There were so many arguments against it, particularly related to socialization. It all felt so daunting.
And yet, I knew that God said do it. So, despite wrestling in my spirit, I said yes, Lord. And when I surrendered, God sent help.
“Friend, God is sending the help you need. Because you are surrendered to Him, He will make ways for you where there seems to be no way!”
I met retired teachers that invited me to local Homeschool Association meetings and shared priceless tips. Aside from gaining a support circle, God gave our family favor with generous educators in the school system that gave us free books, curriculum materials and more resources than we knew how to use. Our home looked like a public library!
I remember the first time a retired teacher told me she homeschooled her daughter all through pre-school, middle school, and high school until she went to college.
You should have seen my face. My eyes nearly bugged out of my head. I returned home and told Kenya the story with the same shock I would have expressed had I seen a space alien.
But the thing that felt implausible and impossible to me at the time, God had already called, anointed, and equipped me to do. I went from being astonished by that woman’s story to living it.
How incredible is our God, right?
Kyla Hobbs Class of 2022
As Kyla walked across the stage with honors in her cap and gown, I reflected on all the worrying and hesitating I did in the beginning. It was never necessary. All I needed to do was obey and watch God do the rest.
I smiled as He whispered in my spirit, “I always reward obedience.”
Friend, listen. When you follow the Lord’s leading, even down unfamiliar paths, you always walk into a blessing. I am a witness. Sure, it’s natural to feel reluctant and a little nervous about some things. But I believe God sent me to tell somebody that unconventional obedience leads to unconventional breakthroughs. It may appear impossible, but it’s not.
In 2 Samuel 5, when David became king, he had a lot going for him and a lot working against him, too. The newly minted king had to fight for territory. At the time, Jerusalem was a Canaanite city inhabited by the Jebusites, and the occupants told David there was no way he could get in and overtake it (v. 6).
They mocked David and scoffed at the idea that he could infiltrate Jerusalem. Though David could have been deterred and intimidated by that, instead, the taunting energized his spirit and mobilized his faith.
Not only did David capture Jerusalem – also known as the fortress of Zion – but he also renamed it the “City of David” (v. 7).
Wow, right?
David’s enemies underestimated him because they didn’t understand who was on his side and working in his favor.
Verse 10 says, “And he became more and more powerful, because the Lord God Almighty was with him.”
That’s the key. The one who was with David was greater than the forces working against him. Isn’t it wonderful to know that the same God Almighty that was with David abides in you?
Whatever your assignment, He’s with you. Whatever adversity or opposition you’re facing, He’s with you. No matter how unlikely it seems that you will overcome, He’s with you.
And He’s for you!
I love the saying, “If God be for you, He’s more than the whole world against you.” Scripture says it a slightly different way in Romans 8:31 NLT, which I’m stirring into your cup of inspiration: “If God is for us, who can ever be against us?”
There’s another verse I’m adding into your cup. You’re getting a double shot today! It’s found in Luke 18:27 NIV: “Jesus replied, ‘What is impossible with man is possible with God.’”
As you drink down the contents of your cup, know that God is working for you, making all things possible. No matter how things look, nothing can change the fact that God is with you and for you. As unconventional as the journey may be, an unconventional blessing awaits you at the end of it.
Go forth confidently in the strength of the Lord, and the outcome will amaze you!
Now let’s pray.
God, thank You for reminding me that even though I am on an unconventional path, and things don’t always make sense, if I follow Your leading, an unconventional blessing awaits me. I trust You through this test and rejoice that You are always working in my favor which makes me victorious in all circumstances. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
If you desire prayer, please allow me, along with my intercessory prayer team, to stand in faith with you for breakthrough. We would be so honored. We have seen God work over and over again. There is power in agreement. Click here to request prayer now.
As always, thanks for reading and until next time... may today's cup of inspiration uplift, encourage, and empower you!
