What if joy isn’t waiting on the other side of clarity, healing, or the next chapter? What if joy is available to you right here, right now, in the middle of the questions, the surrender, and the unknown? This episode is a really special one because it comes straight out of the Called conference weekend in Minneapolis. Our team had the chance to spend time with women from all different backgrounds and stories, all gathering around one big question: what does it look like to say yes to God’s calling and still find joy in the journey? So this conversation is part recap, part encouragement, and part invitation. If you joined us at the conference, I hope this feels like a chance to revisit what God may have been stirring in you. And if you’re new here, welcome — I’m so glad you found us. Around here, we care deeply about having honest conversations about real faith, real life, and the very real questions that come with both. In this episode, I walk through four different biblical stories — David, Mary, Abraham, and Moses — and what each of them teaches us about courage, surrender, obedience, and trusting God when the full picture still isn’t clear. Key Themes + Takeaways Joy is not found in perfect circumstances — it’s found in the presence of God. Calling often comes with tension: promise and process, purpose and uncertainty, direction and lack of detail. Surrender is not a one-time moment. It’s a daily pattern of trusting God with what we cannot control. Obedience doesn’t always look dramatic. Sometimes it looks like resting, staying faithful, apologizing first, applying for the job, or simply getting up again tomorrow. God does not ask us to carry the outcome. Our responsibility is obedience; His responsibility is the outcome. Whether you feel like David, Mary, Abraham, or Moses right now, you are not alone in the season you’re in. Our Favorite Quotes “What if joy isn’t waiting on the other side of things to change?” “Joy is not the result of promotion. It is the result of proximity.” “Surrender in Scripture is always relational before it is situational.” “Your responsibility is obedience. God’s responsibility is the outcome.” “Joy is not waiting somewhere else for you to find. It is found in the yes.” Chapter Markers 00:00 — Welcome back + the heart behind this conversation 02:02 — A deep breath for the woman carrying a lot right now 04:29 — Psalm 16:11 and the truth about where joy is really found 06:27 — David: when your promise and your process don’t match 12:05 — Mary: surrendering without having the full plan 23:02 — Abraham: obedience before clarity 27:19 — Moses: what to do when you don’t feel qualified 30:23 — “Your responsibility is obedience” 33:07 — Your bold yes: making it personal 37:19 — Which moment are you in right now? Your Turn This week’s reflection: What is one “bold yes” God may be asking of you right now — even if you don’t yet have all the clarity you wish you had? Maybe your yes feels big. Maybe it feels small. Maybe it looks like trusting, resting, reaching out, applying, staying, grieving, or starting again. Whatever it is, write it down. Pray over it. Bring someone into it with you. And ask yourself honestly: Am I waiting for clarity before obedience — or is God inviting me to trust Him with just the next step? 💛 Support the Podcast 🛍 Shop the Boldly Seeking Merch Line – 100% of proceeds support Season 4 of the podcast ✉️ Join Our Email List for updates, devotionals, and community events 💬 Follow us on Instagram @boldlyseeking 📣 Help Us Grow: If this conversation encouraged you, share it with a friend or someone in your community who’s navigating a season of waiting or transition. Your reviews and ratings help this podcast reach others who need these messages of hope and faith. Visit https://boldlyseeking.online/ to learn more and donate