⛈️ If no one else will, i will
Written by Rylan Isabella Wicker
Scripture Focus: Romans 6:4, 2 Kings 2:21–22
Date: July 1
This morning, something unusual happened.
As I walked into my kitchen, I noticed my devotional—left on the window ledge—was turned to today’s date: July 1. I hadn’t touched it. My husband hadn’t either. My kids were still asleep and can’t even reach the window. It stopped me in my tracks.
The words stared back at me:
“Baptism is an act that demonstrates to the world that what Christ has done for you is real, wonderful, and worth dying for in order to live again.”
It pointed to Romans 6:4:
“We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death… so that we too might walk in newness of life.”
As the rain fell softly outside the window, I whispered,
“God, what are You saying to me?”
I sat down to pray, and the weight in my heart rose to the surface.
I began thinking about my brother, who died by suicide in 2020. That loss shattered my world. But it also cracked open the door for God to walk in. His death is what eventually led me to a church for prayer, and that’s where I surrendered my life to Christ.
But my brother’s children—some of them have gone down dark and heartbreaking paths. I prayed, “God, meet them where they are. Heal them. Rescue them.”
And then I thought about my own family.
How I long for my husband to lead us spiritually.
He is a Christian, yes—but my heart aches for more. More spiritual hunger. More boldness. More consistency. I wrestle with whether I should feel this way, but it’s hard to carry the weight of spiritual leadership alone.
I’m the one who prays with the kids.
I’m the one who goes to church.
I’m the one who opens the Bible, pleads with heaven, and keeps hoping my example will be enough.
I’m not saying he never does those things—he does. But I don’t see it often, and it hurts.
I want to see him be more intentional about telling our kids who Christ is, what He’s done for our family, how He’s been faithful.
I want to see my husband step into his own calling, to walk in boldness and truth—to be the spiritual leader I know he could be.
He’s always pushing me to grow, to seek God, to walk in what God has for me...
but then he holds himself back.
And I don’t understand why.
I cried for my stepchildren too. I pray constantly for them to want to know Jesus—not just attend church or hear about Him, but truly know Him. I sometimes feel like I’m failing at showing them Christ, and I wonder if they’d respond if my husband invited them into faith more intentionally.
But I know this: I can’t guilt or push anyone into loving God. I can’t make my husband lead, and I can’t force my children to follow. I’m painfully aware of my own shortcomings.
Still, I found myself praying,
“God, draw my husband close. Let him lead… but if he won’t—I will.
Even if it’s lonely. Even if I’m tired. Even if I feel unworthy.
If no one else will, I will.”
After that, I opened my Bible not knowing where to begin. I simply let the pages fall open.
It landed on 2 Kings 2, and I flipped back to chapter 1 to start from the beginning.
What I read wasn’t random.
It was a story of grief, transition, and one man receiving the mantle he asked for—but still had to choose to carry with courage and faith.
Elijah is taken to heaven. Elisha follows him to the very end.
Elisha grieves, tears his clothes, and picks up Elijah’s cloak—a symbol of calling and responsibility. Alone now, he steps forward with what God has left him.
One of his first acts?
He heals bitter water.
“Thus says the Lord, I have healed this water. From now on neither death nor miscarriage shall come from it.”
(2 Kings 2:21)
Those words struck something deep in me.
I’ve been praying for the healing of what feels broken in my family—grief, division, distance from God.
And I sensed the Lord saying:
“I see your heart. I see the weight you carry. The water will be healed. The legacy is not lost. I’m with you—even when it feels like you’re walking this road alone.”
💭 Reflection Questions:
Are you carrying a spiritual role you didn’t plan for?
Where is God calling you to pick up the mantle, even if no one else will?
Do you believe God can bring healing through your surrender?
🙏 Prayer:
God, I don’t feel strong enough for this. I didn’t ask to lead, but here I am. If no one else will, I will. Help me carry this mantle with grace and humility. Heal my home. Reach those I cannot reach. Show me that You are near when I feel alone in this walk. My yes is Yours—even if it’s a quiet yes through tears. Amen.