Obedient

I grew up learning to obey and respect my parents even when I didn’t agree with them. It seems like my Dad reminded me a few times that he couldn’t “make me do something”, but he could “make me wish I had”!  I think it’s important for children to learn obedience at an early age, because it translates into their older years. If a child can’t learn to obey their parents, teachers or other authorities, they will likely not obey God’s authority.

I don’t always understand the boundaries that the Lord puts around me until later. Often when I’m pushing the boundaries, it’s for self-centered reasons. I want what I want WHEN I want it. I can remember conversations with my children when they were small as I could predict a certain behavior if they kept going down a certain path. Human behavior is actually pretty predictable. The Lord calls us to live according to His design, His idea, and His plan for our lives. Check this out…….

⁴ The Sovereign Lord has given me his words of wisdom,
    so that I know how to comfort the weary.
Morning by morning he wakens me
    and opens my understanding to his will.
⁵ The Sovereign Lord has spoken to me,
    and I have listened.
    I have not rebelled or turned away.

⁷ Because the Sovereign Lord helps me,
    I will not be disgraced.
Therefore, I have set my face like a stone,
    determined to do his will.
    And I know that I will not be put to shame.

¹⁰ Who among you fears the Lord
    and obeys his servant?
If you are walking in darkness,
    without a ray of light,
trust in the Lord
    and rely on your God. (Isaiah 50:4-5,7,10 NLT)

I’m fully aware when I disobey the Lord. There is shame and guilt for sure. The Lord knows my heart and he knows my flesh. He is there when I’m weak if I will lean upon Him. He is the Light of the World and He chases darkness from the room. His Light shows me the path I should take. He leads me in the way of His will. He is for me. He is my Coach. He brings out the best in me when I’m walking in the Light. He exposes the dark corners of my soul with His light.

I walk in obedience because of His call upon my heart. I don’t walk in obedience to earn God’s favor. I walk in obedience BECAUSE of God’s favor. I don’t walk in obedience in order to be saved. I walk in obedience BECAUSE He has saved me. I’m called to walk in obedience long before I’m ever called to serve Him.

Pressing On!

Dwayne