Obey

I was not always obedient as a child growing up – I know it’s hard to believe! J I was probably somewhat typical of kids then and today. We sort of obey, but if given the chance to not get caught, we might just veer off the original plan and improvise a bit. I guess that it’s not just kids who also disobey. I was driving home from Atlanta late yesterday and became aware of what the speed limit sign said compared to how fast I was going. I was dying to get home, as were the thousands of other people whom make up “rush hour” Atlanta traffic.  I made it home without the proverbial “safe driving” award, but I did disobey a couple of traffic laws.

God really hates disobedience because it’s a symptom of a deeper issue. The deeper issue is trust.  I must build on trust and then my actions of obedience really showcase the “behind the scenes” work I’m doing on trust.  His people struggled to get that. Check this out….

 12 “People of Jacob, listen to me.


    People of Israel,

 I have called you to be my people.


I am God;


    I am the beginning and the end.

13 I made the earth with my own hands.


    With my right hand I spread out the skies.


When I call them,


    they come together before me.”

16 Come to me and listen to this.


    From the beginning I have spoken openly.


    From the time it began, I was there.”

Now, the Lord God


    has sent me with his Spirit.

17 This is what the Lord, who saves you,


    the Holy One of Israel, says:


“I am the Lord your God,


    who teaches you to do what is good,


    who leads you in the way you should go.

18 If you had obeyed me,


    you would have had peace like a full-flowing river…. (Isaiah 48:12-13; 16b-18a NCV)

 One of my “stress relief locations” is sitting by the water. I’m not sure how it works, but when I’m near the water and especially on the water, stress just flows out. A friend of my was telling me yesterday that when he’s on a motorcycle that it relieves his stress.  The Lord is after obedience from me and then He will relieve me stress. It’s pretty simple: without obedience to God I won’t be at peace with God. My relationship with Him compels obedience and obedience bring peace!

 Pressing On!

Dwayne