Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen. Ephesians 3:20, 21 KJV 

Recently, at a conference, I heard a wise woman say that as Christian educators, we need to “listen for God’s whisper and then look for His fingerprints.” 

As I sat there pondering those words, I realized God had been whispering to me about a calling in my life—one I had been hesitant to fully embrace. It wasn’t that I didn’t want to obey…I just think I was trying to control the outcome. 

How often do we do this?

We can limit what God wants to do through us when we spend our energy trying to figure out how everything will work out. We think we need a plan, a timeline, or a guarantee before we take the next step. But God doesn’t ask us to manufacture our callings. In fact, He is often already at work through us long before we recognize what He is doing.

God designed me, and He designed you, with gifts and assignments that are specifically suited for us. When we faithfully obey, His fingerprints are everywhere. Sometimes we don’t recognize those fingerprints for what they are. Often, we miss them because of busyness, self-doubt, fear, or you can fill in the blank. But once our eyes are opened, we begin to see them. And when we become tuned in to what God is doing, it is beautiful. 

You see, it was just this past spring that I fully accepted and leaned into God’s assignment for me to encourage others with “fearless abandonment.” I also realized that the fingerprints of God I started noticing did not suddenly appear last spring. They had been there all along. God had been using me, but sometimes I was getting in the way of His work. I thought I had a plan. I interjected what I thought was best without consulting Him, and I tried to make certain outcomes happen. 

Perhaps you can relate.

As educators, we naturally worry about outcomes: Did I reach that student, colleague, or parent? Did they understand? Did I say enough? Did I make a difference? Did that conversation change anything? 

We care deeply, so we want to know that our efforts are making a difference. But that’s not how God calls us to live.

We are not responsible for the outcome of our obedience to God. We are only responsible for our obedience. And friend, let me tell you, His goodness far exceeds anything I could ever imagine or orchestrate. 

So, if you are worried or stressed about situations and outcomes, take it to God. Listen for His whisper. Obey what He asks and leave the outcome to Him. 

Oh, the beauty, encouragement, and peace that come when His fingerprints begin showing up all over the place. 

What has God been whispering to you that you have been hesitant to obey? And where might His fingerprints already be showing up? 

God may have been working through you long before you recognized what He was doing. Your job is not to control the outcome. Listen for His whisper, obey what He asks, and then watch for His fingerprints. 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for using someone like me to do Your work. Help every believer to listen for Your whisper in their life. Encourage them to find what You have for them to do and fill them with the boldness to do it. Thank you for Your fingerprints that will be revealed as we seek to honor and obey You. Amen. 

Copyright Tonie Weddle.

Tonie is a Christian Educators member and a language arts teacher in Kentucky.