That I May Gain Christ

I now write to commend the LORD on behalf of this young, new believer. A humble grade school teacher who stood on the edge of a decision that would permanently change her course in a life drawn out for her by familial expectations and ambition.

For many aspiring teachers like her, the Licensure Exam for Professional Teachers was more than just a test—it was the bridge between her years of study and a future of security. Her parents had placed their hopes in her success, trusting that her career would help carry the weight of the family’s needs. However, something else had been subtly growing inside of her during the year that she had been a student of the Lord: a high regard for the LORD's glory and His commandments. She had repeatedly been reminded that God had made the seventh day specifically His own. The pressure increased steadily in the month before the test. The date of the exam was set. It fell on the Lord's Day.

But the Lord has been steadily dealing with her through the weekend and daily family worship messages, till at last she became convinced in her mind and in her heart that the Sabbath was not merely a tradition or a pause in her week—it was a command from God to be obeyed. An invitation to trust His provision. Her love for the LORD, motivated her obedience.

“Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor, and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God. On it you shall not do any work, you, or your son, or your daughter, your male servant, or your female servant, or your livestock, or the sojourner who is within your gates. For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested on the seventh day. Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy."

Exodus 20:8-11

Those passages rang in her heart like a bell. She recognized that taking the exam on that day would instead be leaning on her own understanding, not obeying the Lord’s leading. She confessed, “taking the exam was no guarantee of security. God alone has already guaranteed that in Christ. God can do more than I ever could.” This was not about securing her future anymore. It was about honoring the Lord. She chose to rely on the covenant promises of God, and considered how the family He will eventually give her will also be blessed. The truth is that succeeding generations benefit immeasurably from the blessing God bestows on obedient Christian parents (Genesis 22:16-17, Exodus 20:6).

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight”

Proverbs 3:5–6

So she did what her parents would consider to be unthinkable: to forego the licensure exam in honor of His Sabbath, and lay her future at Christ's feet—despite knowing her decision would be met with confusion, even disappointment. She chose to rest in Him when everyone around her expected she reach for her goals. And with peace in her heart, she tasted the truth of the LORD's words, “Be still, and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10). The peace she found surpassed the security of any paycheck—because it was born from surrender.

God’s provision is not bound by human timelines. He has promised to meet all the needs of His people according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:19). This seemingly small event in her life will blossom into a living testimony of what God can do for those whose heart are totally surrendered to Him, and that obedience to His word opens many doors that no ambition ever could.

Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ.

Philippians 3:8