We often want all the pieces before we begin the process. We want to know the outcome before we’re willing to take a step, because after all, if we take a step toward something that won’t be the right outcome, won’t we be wasting a step? Yet a step in obedience is never wasted, whether we understand how it impacts the outcome or not.

Consider the process of Josiah’s obedience.

Josiah was eight years old when he became king, and he ruled thirty-one years in Jerusalem. He did what the Lord said was right. He lived as his ancestor David had lived, and he did not stop doing what was right. In his eighth year as king while he was still young, Josiah began to obey the God of his ancestor David. In his twelfth year as king, Josiah began to remove from Judah and Jerusalem the gods, the places for worshiping gods, the Asherah idols, and the wooden and metal idols. (2 Chronicles 34:1-3)

In Josiah’s eighteenth year as king, he made Judah and the Temple pure again. He sent Shaphan son of Azaliah, Maaseiah the city leader, and Joah son of Joahaz the recorder to repair the Temple of the Lord, the God of Josiah. (2 Chronicles 34:8)

Josiah didn’t do everything all at once. Notice the benchmarks noted when he became king, in his eight year as king, then in his twelth and eighteenth years. He didn’t wait until everything was worked out before he responded. He didn’t require full disclosure of God’s plan before responding as God guided. He sought and responded along the way. He followed God as God led.

How are you following God as he leads? How have you followed him in the past? How are you following him in the present? How do you intend to follow him in the future?

It’s not about knowing all the details of each step of the way, but you can commit to a trusting, obedient relationship with God. We don’t know the significance of every moment throughout our lives, but God does. As we are obedient, we can trust that God will honor our obedience, drawing us closer to him, pruning and refining us, growing our relationship with him. Our faith grows, and it impacts every aspect of our lives, including areas in which we didn’t realize were untouched.

You don’t have to pursue all the answers, because as you pursue the process, God will reveal the truth. You will personally know him more intimately as he reveals himself to you. What might seem to be an insignificant decision becomes a benchmark of faith.