When All the Evidence Says "No"

Part 2 of 4Christy Miller-Bell and Lori Behrens dig into Episode 2 of the Well Worn Pages Book Club, continuing their discussion of God’s Smuggler by Brother Andrew. This conversation focuses on what it really means to trust God for daily needs, how obedience and trust are inseparable, and what it looks like to act in faith even when circumstances seem to say no.Reader Guide Download: Suggested Reading ScheduleEach episode for God’s Smuggler will discuss a theme woven throughout Brother Andrew’s life. This is a suggested guide for reading if you want to create your own discussion with friends.Episode 1: Background of Brother Andrew’s Life — Chapters 1-7Episode 2: Trusting God When All The Evidence Says “No” — Chapters 8-13Episode 3: Praying It Through — Chapters 14-18Episode 4: God’s Sovereignty & The Persecuted Church — Chapters 19-EpilogueKey Takeaways From Episode 2* Trusting God is not just a feeling. It shows up in how we respond when plans fall apart.* Brother Andrew’s trust grew through small, repeated experiences of God’s provision.* Every person’s obedience matters. God often works through a chain of ordinary people who each say yes.* Trust and obedience go hand in hand. You can’t truly obey God if you don’t trust him.Do We Really Trust God for Our Daily Needs?The central question running through this episode is a personal and uncomfortable one. Do we actually trust God, or do we just say we do?Christy: If you ask me, I would say, yeah, of course I trust God. But when it comes to everyday life, do I really? A lot of examples in this book have opened my eyes to the fact that I say I trust him, but when it comes down to my gut reaction, I rely on my own abilities.The distinction Brother Andrew makes on page 72 is worth thinking about: It was that I needed the security of a relationship.The main point is trusting God, building the relationship with him, and letting him provide however He chooses.Every Person’s Obedience Is Part the PlanChristy: Every person’s obedience is important in the plan of God. It’s not just whether Andrew was obedient, but all of these other people in his life had to be obedient too. This quote represents the mindset that I want to have: “That’s the excitement in obedience, finding out later what God had in mind.”This idea also shows up in how the Hopkins family modeled faith for young Andrew. When he arrived at their home, Mrs. Hopkins told him there was a drunk man asleep in his bed. Her response was not panic. She simply said that when he woke up, they would find him food and clothes, and she didn’t know where those would come from, but God would supply.Christy: They were modeling obedience for him. And I think even in our own obedience, we are always a model for other people, whether we know it or not.When All the Evidence Says NoOne of the most striking moments in this section of the book comes early in Andrew’s ministry, around page 62. In a single day, three doors slam shut at once. His girlfriend ends their relationship because she wants no part of the ministry life. His English teacher admits she never actually learned to speak English properly. And a letter arrives rejecting Andrew’s application to school.Lori: If that were me, I would have said, God, I must have heard you wrong. I would start second-guessing everything and making my own plans to go a different direction.Christy: Andrew had such a close relationship with the Lord that he knew His voice. He knew what God was saying to him, even when it didn’t make logical sense. And he was willing to say, okay Lord, I hear you, and I’m going to be obedient, even if I don’t know what the next step is.Trust and Obedience Are InseparableThe thread running through everything Brother Andrew experienced is this: trust and obedience cannot be separated. If you really believe God is who he says he is, and that he will do what he says he will do, then you will act on that belief.Andrew’s faith grew the way most faith does, not in one dramatic moment, but through small repeated experiences of God coming through. Each provision, each answered prayer, each unexpected door opening strengthened him for the next step.Next week, Christy and Lori go deeper into Brother Andrew’s prayer life, looking at specific moments when he prayed and how God answered. The key question to sit with until then is this: * When I pray, do I expect God to answer, or do I live in an attitude of lack?Join the Conversation!Do you trust God when life doesn’t look like you expected? Leave us a comment at wellwornpages.substack.com or email us at [email protected] NEXT BOOK: Desiring God by John Piper“Thus says the Lord: stand by the roads and look, and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way is, and walk in it, and find rest for your souls.” — Jeremiah 6:16 This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit wellwornpages.substack.com