What I learned On My Sabbatical

                                

 May 14, 2025
By Olga Erickson

When Obedience Feels Heavy

Tim and I went through our second major transition. In short, we sold our house and bought a fifth-wheel RV. We felt directed to step out and begin our ministry.

I had a very hard time taking this step—so much so that when we moved into the RV, I cried for days and nights. Deep inside, I kept telling myself, “I missed God,” and now there was no way out. I was trying to be obedient, yet something didn’t feel right.

No matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t shake the heaviness. I knew I needed time alone with the Lord. I needed to meet with my Heavenly Father. Throughout my life, He has always been faithful to give me revelation about what is happening internally, and I trusted that He would do so again.

God heard His daughter’s cry and opened a door for me to get away. So, I left for five days to seek Him—expecting answers, peace, and clarity.

Little did I know what was coming my way!

Introduction

Choosing the Path That Leads to Life

The journey to understanding God’s plan begins with a heart that is surrendered daily and a deliberate decision to trust. This path is not for those who seek comfort; it is for those who are willing to pick up their cross each day.

This journey is about knowing Him, loving Him, and becoming more like Him—reflecting His character, His love, and His holiness. The path He has for us is the best path, and it is the one that leads to life.

Without realizing it, I wanted comfort. Deep within, I did not want to pick up my cross for this part of my journey.

The Call to Surrender

To walk this journey, I must fully surrender my desires and my need for control. God’s will is revealed through those who are yielded to Him. Understanding His will does not come before obedience; it comes through obedience—through trusting and obeying. This process brings clarity and direction, though God’s will is not always comfortable or easy. Following Him may cost me my comfort, but it will lead to something far greater. That needed to be my focus!

Faith Beyond Understanding

God’s will leads to eternal purpose and transformation. Often, we want revelation without surrender and submission, and when it does not come, I felt as though God was being silent. I wanted things to be easy. Yet it is not faith if we insist on seeing God’s will before we move. True faith says, “Even if I do not understand or see the end, I will follow.” That was the heart God was looking for!

A Matter of the Heart

Surrender is a matter of the heart. A person can appear to be doing all the right things outwardly while still holding back inwardly. True surrender requires fully letting go until resistance fades and pride is broken. Did I just say pride? What I am starting to see in me was not good! I need to come to place of brokenness.  Then the voice of the Lord will become clearer. Remember the gospel calls for death to self, and that death bears fruit. God reveals Himself to those who hunger for Him.

The Work of Waiting

When we demand answers or continually ask “why,” we often find none. Yet God remains faithful. I had to let God mold my character and prepares my heart for what lies ahead. Obedience is the refining fire that purifies me, one step at a time. I had to come to a place of repentance to break the silence.
God will accomplish something powerful in the waiting. He is deeply interested in who I am becoming in this season. He is forming something within me that is essential for the journey ahead. Therefore, I must wait in a place of REST and TRUST—even in the silence—knowing that He is always at work.

Update

During my sabbatical, I received a clear revelation: I needed repentance. I needed to trust God to lead me into a place of rest. God was calling me to surrender fully through obedience to Him.

For those who may be wondering, I still don’t enjoy living in a trailer—it’s small, and I miss the prayer closet I had in our house. This season has required another level of faith financially as well.

Here is what I know to be true: during this time of trusting, I will get to see my Heavenly Father shine. And that—now that—is exciting.