Obedience is Mine, Outcome is His

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose (Romans 8:28, ESV).

Creating project plans, outlines, and work flows are something many of us are familiar with. We learn the very basics of this at a young age, often by upper elementary school. An outline is designed to keep us on track with a task, and it provides us with expectations regarding a specific outcome when we’re following an ordered set of steps.

For example, in math, we use an order of arithmetic. Known by the acronym PEMDAS, there is a specific order that we must follow in order to properly solve a multi-step arithmetic problem. If we follow the steps, we get the correct outcome. Essentially, if this, then this.

There is actually an app that was created for this very concept called IFTTT. Designed to help businesses streamline daily tasks, the applet uses two specific functions¹: 

• This – Also referred to as a trigger. Each trigger in a recipe is kind of like a requirement in that the set trigger has to happen for the recipe to start working.

• That – That refers to an action that happens when a ‘this’ condition is triggered.

Cited below, the website gives multiple examples of IFTTT recipes, as they’re called. Ultimately, it’s an effective way to share content without all the extra work. When we know “if this, then that”, we don’t have to worry about the outcome. It’s already determined for us.

While useful in life, this concept of IFTTT doesn‘t serve us nearly as well when applied to our walk with Christ. Bible stories teach us the Lord is focused on our obedience, not the outcome. 

Focusing on obedience, rather than being overly concerned with a specific outcome, has been a focus in my daily walk with Jesus. Not always easy, but it makes life with Jesus an adventure. 

There have been two specific steps of obedience the Lord has asked of me lately: to mail a copy of my devotional, The Healing Path, to a well known Christian author and speaker, and to reach out to a local pastor to set up a time to connect. 

I have no idea what outcome to expect with either of those actions. I know the book was delivered via mail, but I have no control over whose hand the book will end up in, how it may have an impact, or if I will ever get any sort of response. And that’s okay.

The local pastor texted me back, and we have yet to establish a time to connect. I honestly don’t even really know what the Lord has in mind with making this connection. And that’s okay. 

Obedience is mine. Outcome is His.

In life, we often set in motion an ordered set of steps with an expected outcome. With Jesus, there is no PEMDAS for us to follow. There are no IFTTT recipes. But there is Jesus, the Son of God, who promises in Romans 8:28:

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

Be reminded today that we serve a God who works all things together for our good. When we lean into that truth, we can focus on our obedience to Christ and leave the outcome up to Him. 

1. “What Is If This Then That?” Tech advisory. Accessed September 23, 2025. https://www.techadvisory.org/2014/08/what-is-if-this-then-that/#:~:text=IFTTT%20is%20a%20Web%20and,’this’%20condition%20is%20triggered.