One year I asked my mother what she wanted for Christmas. Obedience from my children was her answer. So with my clever little brain, I wrote obedience on a piece of paper, put it in a jewelry box, wrapped it, and put it under the tree. I remember the look on my mom’s face when she opened the box. There wasn’t a lot of emotion there, she took the paper out, read it, looked up at me, said thank you, now we will see if you actually do it and she moved on.
As a child I remember being hurt and sad that she didn’t get excited about my “gift” or my creativity. I thought if she doesn’t appreciate what I did, then maybe I shouldn’t obey.
Yesterday I was having conversations with a friend and reflecting on some of the things that the Lord has asked me to do that I wasn’t particularly wild about doing. However, there are so many blessings in obedience. When I look back at some of those hard things, my thought now is, what if I hadn’t obeyed? My life would be totally different. Just like my mom wasn’t excited with the “lip service” I gave her in response to her request for obedience, The Lord isn’t excited about our lip service to Him either.
Much like our parents, He doesn’t want us to be obedient when we want something or because we have alterior motives. He wants us to obey out of our love for Him and trust that He has our best interest at heart and He can see things down the road that we can’t. He doesn’t ask us to do the hard things because He wants to hurt us or just because. He knows what we are going to need and when we are going to need it.
Sometimes I just don’t want to do what I know He wants me to do. It can be difficult and frustrating. The other people involved may not like the direction I’m taking and may not get it. Many times I don’t understand but I have to trust that He is there guiding me and He truly does know what is best for me. He will hold my hand and listen when I cry. He will be my cheerleader when I rejoice and He will be my light when I don’t know which way to go in the darkness.
Whatever He may be asking of you, Are you willing to trust Him? Are you willing to be obedient even if you don’t know the outcome?
For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11
I don’t always know the answers and many times I don’t like the journey I take to find them but I pray that I am always willing to trust and obey.
Amen Sister and Michael, obedience IS better than sacrifice.
Toya,
Thanks for sharing. It really made me think about a lot of things today. One thing it reminded me of the saying Obedience is better than Sacrifice. Powerful blog.
Michael