A captivating exploration into the transformative power of saying yes to God’s call, even when it leads to unexpected paths--and into a wildly more fulfilling life. For readers looking for a way forward beyond anxiety and uncertainty, pastor and podcast host Brenda Palmer shares how everyday obedience freed her from fear and led to profound purpose. Through intimate anecdotes, insightful reflections, and practical guidance, she illuminates the incredible gift of saying yes not only to life’s opportunities and challenges, but most importantly to the God who leads us through it all. Drawing from scripture and her own personal odyssey--from leaving a dream career and moving across country to giving up financial security and status to follow God''s call--Palmer empowers you to conquer fears, embrace vulnerability, and embark on a remarkable journey of self-discovery. She illuminates the paradox that while obedience may come at a cost, it unveils a world of unimaginable blessings and spiritual abundance. As you join her on this journey of faith and obedience, you''ll learn that God’s purpose for your life is much grander than material gifts or achieving goals, but about the giver of life Himself. Palmer’s inspiring revelations and storytelling equip you with a renewed sense of purpose and encouragement to live a life of wholehearted devotion and surrender. Because by saying yes to God, you will uncover a life of infinite possibilities, joy, and lasting fulfillment.

Autorentext

Brenda Palmer is an innovative preacher, producer of The Same Room’s podcast, host of Life In Perspective Podcast and co-host of In The Room Podcast, and leader of the Come Alive movement, which hosts pop-up events to create spaces for people to encounter Jesus. A graduate of Missippi Valley State University and Syracuse University, Brenda is an emerging millennial thought leader with a passion for helping people unlock their purpose as they surrender to God’s plan.

Leseprobe
Introduction

Welcome to the Journey

Eyes squeezed shut, heart racing wildly, I struggled to breathe, clinging to the rails on either side of me. My feet felt like they were anchored by heavy weights, making it nearly impossible to move. As I stood there contemplating what I was going to do, I heard a voice say, “You’re not alone.” I opened my eyes and saw my coach in the pool below. We locked eyes, and a rush of bravery pushed me forward on the diving board. With each step, I took a deep breath. Once I reached the end of the board, I bent my knees, jumped, and plunged into the water. I broke the surface and shouted, “Yes! I did it!” At this time, I was about six or seven, taking swimming lessons at summer camp, and had just reached the stage where I was moving from the low dive to the high dive. I was terrified. When I was a child, my imagination often magnified my fears. Even though I loved the water, could swim well, and knew I’d surface safely, I still struggled to say yes to the challenge.

Not until someone reminded me that I wasn’t alone did I find the courage to take the leap. I realized I’d be diving into the care of my instructor, who was waiting for me in the water. All I had to do was say yes.

Can you remember the first time you said yes to the unknown, having no idea where the yes would lead? What did it feel like? What was holding you back? I’m sure you’ve faced a similar time when you had to defy every instinct that screamed “No!” You chose to push past your fears and doubts and say yes. Taking a leap of faith isn’t always an easy feat.

Saying yes often means confronting the fears conjured by our imagination rather than the actual challenges. I frequently feel unprepared, but a shift occurs when I realize I’m not alone. When I saw my instructor waiting in the water, I knew I wasn’t facing the unknown by myself. The same is true with God. He leads us into journeys that seem overwhelming, but He promises to be with us every step of the way. Jumping off that high dive planted a seed of courage in me, showing me that saying yes to the unknown was a crucial step in life.

I’m often asked, “How did you have the courage to pack up and move across the country to L.A. with no solid plan or job waiting?” Another question is, “How did I have the courage to say yes to forgiveness despite a devastating betrayal that almost caused me to end my life?” The answer to both questions is that my faith led me beyond what I was afraid of to a life I couldn’t have dreamed of. My fellowship with God led me on a journey that produced my yes. The answer was not ignoring the fear but recognizing that I had power over it and that all I really needed to do was just say yes.

Perhaps your first significant yes was not in swim class but maybe when you decided to pick up this book. It could have been in your decision to walk away from that toxic relationship and finally say yes to choosing you. Or maybe it was walking down the aisle to the altar and dedicating your life to following Jesus. Whether it’s accepting a new job, moving to a new place, or starting a family, life is a journey of continually saying yes.

The journey of yes is both an invitation to do life with God and a continuous decision to follow Him. At its core, it represents the moment when we first respond to God’s call, aligning ourselves with His purpose and design for our lives. This initial “yes” can be transformative—it sets us on a path of surrender and trust, opening our hearts to a new relationship with Him. But as we walk this path, we quickly realize that life is not a single act of obedience; it is a series of choices, each requiring us to say yes to God in fresh and profound ways.

Each step along this journey represents another opportunity to trust, grow, and deepen our dependence on Him. Some journeys of yes are monumental experiences of self-discovery or pivotal decisions that reshape our lives. Others are quieter, more subtle, challenging us not in what we gain but in who we become. Every act of saying yes draws us closer to the person God created us to be, revealing His character and His plans for us. At the same time, the journey of yes is also a singular, unified story—a lifelong adventure of faith and intimacy with Jesus. From the first “yes” that brought us to Him, to the countless decisions that sustain our walk, our lives tell the story of one great, ongoing journey with God. Whether it feels like the beginning of something new or the continuation of a well-worn path, the journey of yes invites us to live completely in God’s plans, moment by moment and step by step.

I invite you to embark on the journey of yes—a deliberate, life-changing decision to walk in obedience to God in faith, surrender, and self-discovery. By saying yes to God, you open yourself to the person He has always known you to be—the person He lovingly created for His purpose. Each step is an opportunity to grow, trust, and deepen your relationship with Him. Wherever you are in your journey, I encourage you to take the next step, knowing that God’s plans for you are filled with meaning, transformation, and boundless love.

I need to be up front—this path won’t always be smooth. It will have its highs and lows, its occasions of stillness and its periods of turbulence. What I can assure you is that you won’t be alone. Although this journey might feel like it’s taking things from you or disrupting your life, with each yes, you’ll come to see that the true purpose of the journey is to discover who God is, how He sees you, and who you will become as a result of your yes.

In my own journey, I find that before I give…