Devotionals for the Heart: How taking a small step led to my big adventure

How Adventures with God Begin with Small Steps
A devotional by Lynette Allcock Yoon

“In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.”

—Proverbs 16:9 (NIV)

Everything changed when I stepped on the plane to Korea, but I didn’t know it yet. I thought I was going to teach English for a couple of years. Instead, I met my husband, and started to put down roots in a country I had no original plan to settle in. God led me on a course I had not imagined!

What meaningful experience in your life started as one simple step of faith?

Big changes most often begin as small decisions. A single step forward, following God’s prompting, may lead to an entirely new path. Yet, it can be tempting to downplay the significance of small things.

We might look at some of the more dramatic stories of the Bible—a burning bush, a pillar of fire, a thundering voice from heaven—and wish for similarly clear signs. We want to know for sure that something important is happening, that we are going in the right direction, or that we are embarking on a momentous journey.

However, God doesn’t always give us bold indications of what He is up to, what will happen next, or exactly how He is leading us. Instead, adventures with God often begin with ordinary moments and quiet—but brave—decisions.

Consider the story of David. In his life, a series of seemingly small choices and events led to something significant. In 1 Samuel 16-17, we see that David was the youngest in his family and a humble shepherd. His older brothers were fighting with the King of Israel against the Philistines. One day, David’s father told him to take some food to his brothers on the battlefield. While he was dropping off the supplies, David overhead Goliath taunting the Israelite army, and he couldn’t stand it.

He decided to fight the giant, finding courage in how God helped him rescue his sheep from lions and bears in the past. Then, he chose to fight armed only with his shepherd’s staff and sling instead of using the king’s heavy armor.

David triumphed over Goliath and the Philistines fled. This led to David being appointed as a wildly successful army officer under King Saul…which then led to Saul’s jealousy…which led to David’s fugitive years in the wilderness where he wrote many of the Psalms that speak so deeply to our hearts today. Eventually, David became the king of Israel and an ancestor of Jesus Christ. And to think that all this began with David faithfully carrying out a simple, humble task for his family!

David went from a lowly shepherd to a celebrated king, whose story is still told thousands of years later. I’m sure David never imagined that course for his life, but God guided him into miracles and adventures he had not foreseen, one step at a time.

Just as how David’s ordinary lunch delivery ended in the slaying of a giant, we may never know how one moment could completely change our lives. We can’t see the future, but God can. He knows where He is leading us. Each single step we take in following God is important.

Remember, the Bible says in Zechariah 4:10 (NLT), “Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin.”

May you be encouraged today that the little things matter—whether you are carrying out your regular responsibilities, or whether you are making a small, faith-filled decision to turn in a new direction. God will establish your steps and lead you on.

Let’s Pray: Father God, it’s amazing to think that my ordinary faithfulness and my small steps in following You can lead to beautiful outcomes that I can’t imagine yet. When I don’t always sense that something important is happening, or see immediate results from my efforts, help me to still be faithful in the small things. I know You are directing the course of my life. Help me to trust You, Lord, with every step I take. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

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Song of Reflection #1: “Say Yes” by Josh Wilson. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #2: “Increase My Faith” by Brian Courtney Wilson. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #3: “He Leadeth Me” by Reawaken Hymns. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #4: “Walk by Faith” by Jeremy Camp. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #5: “I Know the Plans (Audrey’s Song)” by Dámaris Carbaugh. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #6: “Lead Me Lord” by Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir with w/ Elizabeth Goodine. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #7: “I Will Follow” by Chris Tomlin. Listen to it here.

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Author Bio:

Lynette Allcock Yoon is a writer, teacher, and former radio host. 

She grew up in three countries and now lives in South Korea with her husband.

Lynette writes about life abroad, faith, and relationships from an expat, Third Culture Kid (TCK) perspective.

Outside of work, Lynette enjoys musical theatre and long walks with good friends.

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Connect with Lynette:
Website: https://www.lynetteallcock.com/

Devotionals for the Heart: Why we need to do what we can for God

Do What You Can
A devotional by Lynette Allcock Yoon

“Don’t forget to do good and to share with those in need. These are the sacrifices that please God.”—Hebrews 13:16 (NLT)

I came to South Korea as a missionary English teacher.

I viewed my classroom as a ministry because I wasn’t merely teaching vocabulary and conversation; I was loving the children in my care, praying for them and teaching them about God. In my local English-speaking international church, I was often up front of the congregation, leading out vespers and Bible studies, and speaking from time to time.

Then I got married and moved to a new city in South Korea. My husband was a church leader, and the church we attended was not an English-speaking one. It was a difficult transition. I spoke only a little Korean, and living with the language barrier felt like losing my voice. I could no longer communicate well and do all the up-front things I was used to. I was still teaching English during the week. But on the weekend, I felt like my opportunities for ministry had been taken away.

However, God convicted me that instead of feeling mired down in what I couldn’t do, I should focus on what I could do. It was okay to grieve my felt losses, but He still had ways that I could minister.

I could operate the computer and click the slides on the PowerPoint presentation during worship. I could lead a Bible study discussion on the rare occasions when we had English-speaking guests. I could teach the children some English praise songs. I could wash dishes. I could pray for my husband and the church. I could simply be present.

These tasks were not glamourous. They weren’t always in my comfort zone, either. Yet God reminded me that small, unseen tasks are still ministry.

Sometimes we may feel that our efforts don’t count unless they’re up-front, noticeable and grand in some way. Sometimes we may feel that we don’t have enough to offer someone else—enough skill, enough time, enough talent.

However, as the hymn “Brighten the Corner Where You Are” encourages us:

“Do not wait until some deed of greatness you may do,

Do not wait to shed your light afar;

To the many duties ever near you now be true,

Brighten the corner where you are.”

The Bible tells the story of a hungry crowd who were listening to Jesus speak (John 6:1-15). Jesus was mindful of their physical as well as spiritual needs. Let’s read about this Bible story via the text below:

“Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?” Jesus asked (John 6:5 NIV). Philip answered, “It would take more than half a year’s wages to buy enough bread for each one to have a bite!” (John 6:7 NIV)

However, there was boy in the crowd with five small barley loaves and two small fish. This was not an impressive lunch. It would have been easy for the boy to think, “What’s the point of offering this? It’s too small and too simple to feed so many.” It would have been easy for him to fixate on what he couldn’t offer. In fact, when Andrew (a disciple) brought the boy to Jesus, he said, “Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?” (John 6:9 NIV)

Yet the boy gave what he could, and Jesus took those five small loaves and two small fish and used them to feed thousands of hungry people. He can do the same with what we give to Him. No matter how small, simple, and “not enough” our offerings may be, He can multiply them to bless many others.

The small boy did what he could. May we, too, do what we can.

Let’s Pray: Father God, sometimes I focus on what I can’t do. I compare myself to others, or even to how I was in the past, and think that I don’t have enough to offer You. Yet You still empower me to serve—even in simple, hidden ways. Help me to see what I can do through Your strength. Teach me how to have the faith to put my small gifts in Your hands to multiply. In Jesus’s name I pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection #1: “Brighten the Corner Where You Are” by Ella Fitzgerald. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #2: “Available” by Elevation Worship. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #3: “Little is Much” by Downhere. Listen to it here.

~*~
Author Bio:

Lynette Allcock Yoon is a writer, teacher, and former radio host. 

She grew up in three countries and now lives in South Korea with her husband.

Lynette writes about life abroad, faith, and relationships from an expat, Third Culture Kid (TCK) perspective.

Outside of work, Lynette enjoys musical theatre and long walks with good friends.

~*~
Connect with Lynette:
Website: https://www.lynetteallcock.com/