When God Benches Us

2 Corinthians 4:17-18: Our light affliction, which is but for a moment, works for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory. If we rejoice now, even though for a season, we will have more and more of God's glory in the end.

Recently, I found myself in a transition period, which meant stepping away from writing and sharing the inspirational posts I love posting on my Facebook page. This pause came as I left a job that had been my calling for years to embrace another one God was leading me toward.

Even though I knew I was making the right decision, the process was anything but easy. I felt tangled between holding on to what was familiar and letting go to step into the unknown. During this transition, God gave me a word: "obey."

The word "obey" often stirs discomfort, especially for many women when it appears in the context of wedding vows. But obedience to God is different—it is the gateway to His dreams for us. Divine obedience is woven into the fabric of our spiritual DNA; without it, we cannot fully step into the abundant life He has planned for us.

If you want God's dreams for you to become your reality, you must obey. To be radical for Christ, you must embrace the roots of His dreams for you, even when those roots lead through seasons of discomfort or waiting.

When God wants more for you than you want for yourself, He may bench you. Think about a favorite athlete on the sidelines—it's not always because they've done something wrong. Sometimes, it's because the coach knows they need to see the game from a different perspective.

That's what God did for me. For a season, I was benched—not because I failed, but because He wanted me to see life from the sidelines. And from this vantage point, I gained a clearer view of the "field." I began to see His purpose for my life from new angles, perspectives I could never have grasped while in the thick of the game.

When God benches you, it's an opportunity to realign with His vision for you. It's a time to grow, refine your skills, and become the best version of yourself—a person after God's own heart.

So, don't be discouraged if you find yourself in a similar place. God isn't sidelining you to diminish you; He's preparing you for something greater. Embrace the benching as part of His divine strategy to make you a better player for His team.

When the time comes for you to step back on the field, you'll be stronger, wiser, and better equipped to fulfill the role He's designed just for you.

Reflection:

Where in your life is God calling you to obey? Have you felt "benched" lately? Ask Him to show you the lessons He's teaching you this season. Trust that He is preparing you for the game-changing play of a lifetime.