Courage to Answer God’s Call: Saying Yes to God

Even when the call is clear, it can be hard to say yes to God when others may be saying something different… Ann White knows this struggle, but she also knows the sense of peace that comes with focusing on God’s voice amid the conflicting voices surrounding us. Whether speaking at a national conference, helping women in South Asia, teaching at her local church, or praying with her family, Ann is passionate about helping people find the courage to embrace their God-given gifts. Ann has dedicated her life to equipping women and men with the courage to say yes to God’s call. She is an internationally known author, speaker, TV host, and passionate Bible teacher; the founder and CEO of Courage For Life; and a wife, mother, and grandmother. She is also the general editor for the Courage For Life Study Bible for Women and the Courage For Life Study Bible for Men. It’s a joy to welcome Ann to the farm’s table today…

Guest Post by Ann White

It was the first day of class, a class that had outgrown my home, and had expanded from Wednesday evenings to Sunday mornings. A class that eventually grew into multiple classes, where individuals and couples eager to dive deep into God’s Word could gather together and learn from the Bible.

A passionate Bible teacher, eager to share what she was learning from Scripture and excited for the opportunity to challenge women and men to take their love for God and his Word to an even deeper level—that was me.

I’d spent countless hours praying and preparing for this class. Yet I was completely unaware that some people were opposed to my teaching a Bible class.

When I reached my classroom early that morning, Bible in hand, I noticed a sign next to the door that announced the title of the class and the name of the teacher—or, in my case, teachers. What?

I was shocked to see that my husband was scheduled to teach this class with me. That was the first I’d heard of it!

My initial thought was Someone had better tell him, because he has no clue. He wasn’t even going to be there. Nevertheless, the sign for my class read, “Teachers: Mike and Ann White.”

I often cross paths with courageous Christian women, gifted by God and passionate about serving Christ, who are unfortunately discouraged from—or even denied—leadership positions.

“Men and women working in harmony—a godly formula that boosts the spread of the gospel and, I firmly believe, is not only supported fully by God’s Word but also exemplified in the life of Christ.“

I think this is one reason I have such great affection for the women I lead, disciple, and serve alongside both in the United States and in South Asia. I have great passion for these women’s ministries and leadership roles, and I applaud them (and the men who stand firmly by their sides) as they preach the gospel, teach the Word of God, and birth churches throughout their communities and homelands.

Men and women working in harmony—a godly formula that boosts the spread of the gospel and, I firmly believe, is not only supported fully by God’s Word but also exemplified in the life of Christ.

When I have a question about my faith, the first place I turn is to God in prayer and in His infallible Word.

As I asked God for wisdom about how to respond to my situation, He reminded me of several passages in both the Old and New Testaments where God and his faithful followers placed women in leadership roles—including women who had the courage to speak and teach God’s Word.

Women like we read in Scripture, God’s very Word: Deborah, “a prophet who was judging Israel” (Judges 4:4); Priscilla, who (alongside her husband, Aquila) was one of the apostle Paul’s “co-workers in the ministry of Christ Jesus” and who “took [Apollos] aside and explained the way of God even more accurately” (Romans 16:3; Acts 18:26); and Lydia, the apostle Paul’s first European convert, who led her entire household to faith in Christ and opened her home as her city’s first Christian gathering spot, bringing many others to faith in Jesus (Acts 16:11-15, 40).

As I have read, studied, and taught God’s Word for more than 20 years, I’ve been consistently reminded that from the very beginning of time, women have played a central role in God’s plan of salvation for the world.

Throughout Israel’s history, the life of Christ, and the advancement of the early church, women have contributed significantly to the growth and progress of God’s Kingdom. And they still play a very important role today in the advancement of the Christian faith.

“Sometimes just saying yes to God even in the midst of fear, confusion, or conflicting ideas is the most courageous thing we can do.“

Maybe you aren’t called to teach and preach—but God is calling each of us to fulfill our God-given potential to help build his Kingdom.

Sometimes just saying yes to God even in the midst of fear, confusion, or conflicting ideas is the most courageous thing we can do. Is anything holding you back?

If so, I want to encourage you today to set aside any internal voices of doubt, and believe that God has not only prepared you for His calling — but will also empower you, through His Spirit, to do His will.

Let today be the day you take practical and courageous steps toward accomplishing all God has called you to do through Christ, in Christ, for the glory of Christ!

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