Obedience & Grilled Cheese

If I’m not careful, I can talk myself out of doing all kinds of cool things—especially the very things I know will point others to Jesus and bring God glory.

It didn’t always used to be this way.I was bold once.Quick to act. Brave enough to say, “God, if You said it, I’ll do it.”

But somewhere along the way, that confidence got replaced with what I’d like to call measured wisdom.

Or in reality: fear.

Ugh.

With age, I’ve become more fearful about stepping out and doing big things for Jesus. Especially the public ministry events that require vulnerability, risk, and faith.

I’ve been:

• Afraid of failure.

• Afraid of people not showing up.

• Afraid of the emotional, spiritual, and physical toll of organizing God-sized assignments.

And the result?

Stagnancy.

Fearfulness.

Delay.

I’ve been sitting on the sidelines for far too long—mulling over how to do it “just right”—and unintentionally letting perfectionism become like lipstick on a pig… an excuse for disobedience dressed up in glitter.

Then one morning, while reading a devotional, I came across the story—again—of Mary and Martha in Luke 10. You probably know it well. Jesus comes to visit. Martha scrambles with prep in the kitchen, while Mary chooses to sit at His feet. Martha complains, and Jesus gently but firmly corrects her:

“Martha, Martha, you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better...”(Luke 10:41-42 NIV)

But this time, a single line from the devotional leapt off the page:

“What if Martha had just made something simple?”

Friend, that question floored me.

What if Martha had made sandwiches instead of a banquet? What if she’d tossed a salad

Are you trying to make a banquet for God when all He really wants is your obedience?

and called it a day? She might’ve had the time and margin to sit at Jesus’ feet too.

And that’s when the Holy Spirit gently whispered:“Kacie, you’ve been trying to make banquets for Me when all I asked for was your obedience.”

I immediately thought of a workshop I attended years ago.

The organizer didn’t have elaborate decor. No catered lunch. No gift bags. Not even snacks! Just a library meeting room, a few pens, a notepad, a heartfelt prayer, and her God-given message.

It wasn’t fancy.

But it was faithful.

And it changed my life.

That simple, no-frills gathering ignited the seed for my first book. She wasn’t worried about impressing anyone—just being obedient. And it was enough.

So maybe you’re not called to host a women’s conference or preach on a stage. But maybe God is calling you to:

• Launch a business,

• Start a Bible study,

• Share your testimony online,

• Or finally write the book He put on your heart.

  
  

And maybe—like me—you’re overthinking it.

Maybe you're spending more time on the aesthetics than the assignment.

Maybe you’re trying to serve a five-course meal when God’s just asking for a loaf and two fish—or even a grilled cheese sandwich.

Here’s what I’m learning:

God never asked us to be impressive. He asked us to be obedient. He’s not moved by our polish. He’s moved by our yes.

So I’m stripping off the pressure. And I’m inviting you to do the same.

Let’s silence the perfectionist voice that says: “Not yet. Not good enough. Not ready.”

And let’s put on the apron of obedience, fire up the stove of faith, and serve God with whatever we’ve got—even if it’s just grilled cheese.

Closing Prayer:

Lord,

Thank You for Your patience when I’ve let fear dress itself up as wisdom. Forgive me for the times I’ve delayed obedience because I wanted everything to be perfect. Help me trust that what You’ve called me to do is already blessed—even if it’s simple, even if it’s small, even if it’s scary. Give me the courage to say yes quickly and boldly. Strip off the fear, the fluff, and the self-imposed pressure. Help me serve You with my version of grilled cheese if that’s all I have—because when You’re in it, it’s always enough. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Discover "Self-Esteem Through Scripture" for Spiritual Empowerment

Bonus Resource: If this resonates, check out my book Self-Esteem Through Scripture: Seeing Yourself Through the Eyes of God. It’s full of reminders about who you are in Christ. You can grab it on Amazon (and yes, I go back and reread it myself when I need a reminder!).

Hi, my name is Kacie Starr Long. I am an author, and speaker and I love to use my voice to point people to Jesus. When I'm not writing, I'm either hanging out with my husband or sewing. God delivered me from food addiction and I have a sewing ministry, called the Sew Hope Community Sewing Room. I am the proud wife of Alfred T. Long, Sr and together we lead a non-profit that serves prisoners and their families. Connect with me at www.InspiredOverflow.com and via my YouTube page for Christian teachings and encouragement.