Ep 149 // Open-Handed Kingdom Living: Saying Yes to God Through Surrender, Community, and Courage

What does it look like to truly live with open hands and a willing heart—especially when life brings suffering, uncertainty, and hard seasons of discernment? In this deeply moving and wisdom-filled conversation, Vivian Mabuni joins host Megan Nilsen to explore Kingdom living, saying yes to God, and how surrender—lived out in community—becomes the doorway to transformation.

From surviving breast cancer, to 35 years of marriage, to theological formation at Denver Seminary, Vivian shares how God’s Word, the Holy Spirit, and the people of God shape a life of faithful obedience. This episode is an invitation to loosen your grip, trust God more deeply, and discover that you were never meant to walk alone.

In this episode of Kingdom Life Coaching, Megan sits down with Vivian Mabuni—author, Bible teacher, seminary graduate, marriage conference speaker, and cancer survivor—for a conversation that feels like coffee with a wise and trusted friend.

Vivian shares how God has shaped her calling through seasons of suffering, marriage, ministry, and theological study, and why open-handed living is essential for discerning God’s leading. Together, Megan and Vivian explore the difference between individualistic faith and Kingdom-centered community, and why surrender is often the first step toward clarity.

This episode covers:

1. How saying yes to God often begins before clarity comes
2. Why Kingdom living is personal and communal
3. How Scripture re-centers us when life feels overwhelming
4. What seminary taught Vivian about humility, discernment, and truth
5. Why faithfulness in ordinary life matters more than flashy impact

Whether you’re navigating a hard season, discerning your next step, or longing for deeper spiritual grounding, this conversation will encourage you to trust God with open hands—and walk forward in faith.

Key Takeaways:

1. Open-handed living is a posture of surrender, not passivity—it positions us to follow God with trust.
2. God often uses community, not isolation, to bring healing, clarity, and strength.
3. Marriage and ministry thrive when rooted in covenant, not performance.
4. Seminary and theological formation can deepen humility, not pride.
5. The Holy Spirit works powerfully through the “we” of the Body of Christ, not just the individual.
6. Faithfulness in everyday obedience creates ripple effects we may never fully see this side of heaven.
7. Saying yes to God doesn’t require a big platform, just a willing heart.

Stay connected with Megan:

1. Website: meganbnilsen.com