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I once worked with Youth with a Mission, recruiting young people for short-term mission trips. We did short dramatic skits in churches to recruit. One skit had a young person considering a mission trip. The Devil whispered things in the young potential missionary’s ear to deter him. He told him he would lose all his creature comforts, like the kind of food he loved to eat, the hair dryer, or some dangers he may encounter in a foreign land.

The young man resisted all the temptations, but then Satan came back with something that sounded so reasonable. “Sure, you are supposed to go on a mission trip, but why the rush? You have plenty of time. You have the rest of your life. There will be a more convenient time.”

Abraham’s servant had a task, and he knew that incomplete or delayed obedience would hinder him from getting the job done (Genesis 24:56). Delayed obedience is always disobedience and can be just as detrimental to our walk with God as outright saying no.

The first time God speaks is always the most convenient time to obey. If we delay, our second chance will always be more difficult. If we delay too long, life happens, and the opportunity God has placed in front of us is no longer there. When the Bible speaks about God’s people listening to Him, the meaning always entails obedience, not just hearing.

Is God trying to speak to you about obedience through His Word, in that still small voice, or through wise counsel? Trust and obey. There is no better way to be happy in Jesus.