What happens when we say yes before we understand?
There are moments when obedience to God makes perfect sense.
And then there are moments when it makes absolutely no sense at all.
In this latest episode of Called Beyond, Zach Duke joins Tim Shuck to reflect on John 13 and Jesus' decision to wash the feet of his disciples. What makes the scene so powerful is not simply that Jesus chose humility. It's that he knew exactly who he was.
Jesus knew that he had come from the Father. He knew that he was returning to the Father. He knew that the Father had placed all things under his power.
And then he picked up a towel.
For Zach, that moment reveals something essential about humble obedience: when our identity is secure, we are free to stop performing.
Knowing who we are
It's easy to think of humility as thinking less of ourselves, yet in his simple act of service Jesus shows us something different.
He didn't wash his disciples' feet to prove that he was humble. He didn't need their approval. He knew who he was.
And because he knew who he was, he was free to model humble obedience in love and service. No strings attached. No recognition required.
As Zach reflected on the passage, that connection stood out to him:
“Because Jesus knew who he was, he was absolutely free to not perform.”
That is a radically different foundation for obedience.
When we are constantly managing our reputation, we become preoccupied with how we're perceived. We wonder whether people noticed. Whether we received credit. Whether we looked successful.
But when our identity is rooted in Christ, we don't have to posture ourselves before others.
We can serve. We can love. We can humbly obey.
Free from the need to be seen or acknowledged for our efforts.
Obedience before Understanding
Zach's own journey of obedience began with something remarkably ordinary—and somewhat ridiculous.
While working at a summer camp in 2008, Zach injured his knee. As he limped back toward his cabin, he sensed the Lord telling him to walk into the woods toward a bonfire pit.
It made no sense.
Then, after reaching the bonfire pit, he sensed God asking him to walk even farther—to a distant tree. Eventually, the message became clear: Would you go all the way for me, no matter what I ask you?
Zach said yes.
That question became a kind of foundation for his life:
Will you obey before you understand?
That's a difficult question because we often want the opposite. We want God to show us the destination so we can decide whether we're willing to take the journey. But faith often works differently.
Jesus says, Follow me.
And then we discover where we're going.
What if it's too late?
Years later, Zach found himself sitting alone in a coffee shop convinced that he had missed his opportunity. He believed it was too late to change. Too late for God to break into the patterns of his mind and desires. Too late to become the person he believed God had called him to be. He was accumulating regret.
So he prayed what he called a “dangerous prayer”:
Jesus, don't let me move from this chair until you bring that fire back in my heart.
In that moment, something changed within him.
And then came God’s unexpected invitation: Soccer.
The only problem?
Zach had never really played, he was out of shape, and he was 34 years old.
Yet what followed was a remarkable progression—from recreational soccer to amateur competition, international opportunities, and eventually the honor of representing Team USA at the 2026 6v6 World Cup in Germany.
So what’s the point?
God can do extraordinary things through our ordinary acts of obedience.
Featured Guest
Zach Duke is a husband, father, speaker, and disciple-maker who serves with Big Life, a disciple-making organization. He and his wife live in Indiana, where they also help steward kingdom businesses. Zach regularly speaks around the world and is passionate about helping people hear God's voice, live with courageous obedience, and make disciples.