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I’m Going to Downey, Part II

(continued from Part 1) 

As we drove in solemn silence to our own Bible study, I realized that our encounter with Devon was an answer to my prayer as well. Just that morning in my devotional time, the Spirit had impressed upon me the need for greater trust and obedience. I had struggled with the thought of giving over complete control over my life and was afraid of what such a life of obedience would mean. But the Spirit gently reminded me of the first lesson of obedience, which is to recognize that I can't do it by myself.  I claimed the promise in Phil 2:13 that it is God who works in me to both desire and to do what is pleasing to Him.  Through this encounter with Devon, God had answered my prayer by giving me an example of this young man, who, in the prime of his life dedicated himself to serving God so completely that he obeyed to the point of surrendering the very symbol of freedom and independence -- his car! It was my blessing and privilege to witness such trust and obedience and to be used as an instrument to answer his prayer. 

In several subsequent conversations I had with Devon after the encounter, including his visit to Upper Room one Sabbath, he described how earlier in the day there was an intense sense of darkness hovering over him. He was plagued with doubt and even some regret over having given his car away, especially as he was being confronted with the real consequence of that sacrifice.  He felt an oppressive heaviness which intensified as the time neared for him to leave and he still had no answer or solution to his transportation dilemma.  Finally, unable to wait any longer, he took up his keyboard case (cross) and just stepped out (literally) in faith.  Devon described how as soon as he left the house, the darkness suddenly lifted and an indescribable joy filled his heart - so much so that he didn’t even mind the trek over a mile, half of which was up a pretty significant hill, lugging his keyboard case.  His doubts and fears vanished, leaving only peace and joy.

What is also interesting about the encounter is the precise timing of everything and a sense of discernment on his part.  By the time we made the two U-turns and caught up to him, he had stopped by the road, sitting on a little ledge, reading his Bible.  Though he had stepped out in faith, for some reason he also felt led to stop at the top of the hill and then wait upon the Lord. 

On one hand, I envy Devon’s attunement to the Holy Spirit.  Perhaps it comes as part of the package of being more fully surrendered to Him.  But I think the deeper lesson for us is the importance of stepping out in faith even as we struggle with doubt and fear, and that this means ACTING and TAKING A STEP even when we are not 100% sure.  If there is certainty, then it wouldn’t require faith.  If we wait to feel sufficiently assured, then we are trusting more in ourselves than in God.  I am not advocating recklessness but perhaps in the work of the Kingdom, we are overly cautious and timid.  Perhaps God is waiting for His servants to impose upon Him with our “foolish” ambition for Him.  

Whenever I find myself struggling with the call to obedience, I remember a young man, sitting by the roadside with an open Bible and a keyboard by his side, answering sheepishly when asked where he was headed  –  "I'm going to Downey."   

It is my hope and prayer that we are all on the road to Downey.

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Dr. Ruth Chung is the Associate Professor of Clinical Education at the University of Southern California.