Ever notice how kids have a really hard time listening and obeying at the end of the school year and the beginning of summer? In the past few weeks, I have noticed how I have had to call my children several times before they respond to me, I've had to give them multiple reminders to get them to do what I've asked them to do, and when they finally do what I ask, they only do it part of the way. This got me thinking about obedience...my obedience.
The reality is that I am not that different than my children. I hear God's voice and sometimes, I tune Him out because it is untimely or conflicts with my plans. After a few repeated nudges, I sometimes respond begrudgingly and put minimal effort in to get the job done so I can check it off my extremely large to-do list, a list that I have created, not Him. I'm certain that you can relate.
The harsh truth is that delayed or partial obedience is not obedience at all, it is disobedience. Our willingness to obey is a posture of the heart and should pour out freely as an overflow of our love for God. In John 14:15, Jesus said to his disciples, "If you love me, you will obey what I command." He goes on to say in verses 23-24, "If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with Him. He who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me." If we love Him, we will obey Him. If we don't obey Him, we don't love Him. These are painful truths to hear, especially because I love the Lord with my entire heart. But why is it so hard to obey Him?
There are many reasons why we don't obey. Sometimes, the call comes at a time that is inconvenient or conflicts with our own plans or desires. Other times, God asks to do something that is difficult or scary, so we don't respond out of fear. Still other times, it's because we simply don't know or trust that God is preparing us for something much better than what we are unwilling or afraid to give up. The truth is that not trusting God is really a symptom of not knowing God - knowing that He is good, faithful, merciful, loving, and has great plans for our lives. When I hesitate to respond to God's voice, I can almost hear him asking me, "Don't you know that I love you and want what is best for you? Do you trust me?" In my head, I know. But sometimes I'm stubborn, prideful, or afraid, and I simply let it interfere with my ability to know and believe the truth, and respond accordingly. I need a change of heart, and I need to trust Him more.
David was known as a man after God's own heart. He was a faithful and obedient servant. He provides us with a wonderful example of what it is to align our love and obedience. As David so beautifully wrote in Psalm 119:33-37, "Teach me, O LORD, the way of your statutes; and I will keep it to the end. Give me understanding, that I may keep your law and observe it with my whole heart. Lead me in the path of your commandments, for I delight in it. Incline my heart to your testimonies, and not to selfish gain! Turn my eyes from looking at worthless things; and give me life in your ways." Let this be the prayer on each of our hearts as we seek to know Him, trust Him, and obey Him.
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