Additional and Unexpected Benefits

A recent, unplanned visit to a second-hand store led to an impulse buy of a popcorn maker. The kids were so excited, and we’ve had some lovely homemade popcorn since. But it also led to some unexpected additional benefits. Did you know that popcorn makers are excellent for roasting coffee beans? So now I am enjoying delicious coffee from my own freshly roasted coffee beans. I must say that this unexpected treat has been a total delight, perhaps even more so than the ability to pop our own corn.

We cannot always foresee all the additional benefits to something. I have found this is never more true than when we obey the Lord. Obeying God has the immediate benefit of knowing we have pleased Him, but it frequently leads to unforeseen additional benefits as well.

When we came to join Ellel Scotland, it was in response to God’s direct call. We did not want to be disobedient. So, when we arrived, we knew we were doing the right thing (which feels good in itself). We trusted that this move was pleasing to the Lord, and we trusted the biblical promises of eternal rewards. But what we could not have foreseen was how totally life-changing working on team would be. Of course, this is true for both Liz and myself, but I’ll share from my own perspective.

Firstly, being involved in ministry and teaching has given me an understanding of the heart of God that I would not have had otherwise. Countless times I was blessed to experience God’s holy, awesome, loving presence when I was coming to Him to seek healing for the hurting and broken. Getting to know God’s heart in this intimate way has been nothing short of lifechanging.

Through the years of serving here I have had the privilege of getting to know the most amazing and wonderful people, from a wide spectrum of backgrounds, which has enriched me in untold ways.

Through all the trials, difficulties, and even some elements of suffering, the Lord has deeply changed my character to be a bit more like Himself, which I believe has value for eternity. All these things, and more, were all inherent in joining the team at Ellel Scotland, but there was no way I could have known any of this beforehand. Only by stepping through the door of obedience do we start experiencing the riches God had in store for us.

God wants all of us to obey Him. It is the way we show our love for Him and please His heart. Obeying God is hardly ever easy, and sometimes we may wrestle against it and procrastinate endlessly. But I want to tell you that, without any doubt, there will be unforeseen benefits in doing so. As the famous saying goes: ‘God is no man’s debtor’. When we give Him our obedience, He will be faithful to reward us, even more than we deserve.