Everyday Obedience Every Day

Do you know one word that most of us don’t really love, but seems to be really important to God? 

Obedience.

Ugh.  I know.  I can sometimes feel the resistance rise up in me as I hear it, too.  We all have this innate desire to want our own way, to be the one calling the shots, and to be in charge of our own selves. 

But, obedience means that we trust in following someone else’s way.  It means we willingly submit to another in authority over us.  It also means we lay down our independence in favor of dependence.

Again, we see some words that might challenge us:  trust, follow, submit, dependence.  I just want to offer you permission to feel a little triggered.  Those words seem to bump up against everything this word values.

In truth, there are lots of things that were important to Jesus that do.

And in all honesty, some of us may have had experiences that left us wary of trusting, following, submitting to, or depending on anyone else. 

But that word, obedience, it takes on a different connotation when we’re talking about being obedient to God.  It is a word the Holy Spirit keeps drawing my attention to over and over in my daily scripture reading.

Sisters, there’s an important truth I want to share with you.  We don’t have to fear God’s invitation to obedience because he is good and he is love.  He won’t leave us or forsake us.  He can’t lie and he won’t fail.  He has a good plan for us and he is sovereign. 

God isn’t inviting us to follow Jesus and obey his teaching to deny us or over power us.  It isn’t to squelch us or rob us of anything.  There is no manipulation here. 

Listen to these words from Jesus in John 14:23-27

“Jesus replied, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them.  Anyone 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.  All this I have spoken while still with you.  But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.  Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”

Jesus’ invitation into obedience every day in our everyday lives is an invitation to live in love, connection, communion, and peace.  It is for our good and his glory. 

I wonder what it might look like to choose the brave, beautiful, bold act of obedience every day in our everyday lives? 

Prayer:

God, help us to listen to your still small voice.  Make us attentive to your word.  Give us a sensitivity to you Spirit.  We want to be women who hear you and obey because we believe that you’re a good, loving father.  We trust you and we thank you for loving us enough to lead us.  Thank you for Jesus and for his teaching.  Thank you for the invitation to come and follow him.  Amen.

Scripture for Meditation:

John 14:23-27

“Jesus replied, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them.  Anyone 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.  All this I have spoken while still with you.  But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.  Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”

Journal Reflection:

When you hear Jesus’ invitation to obey, how do you feel?  Do you feel a welcoming peace?  Do you feel fear or resistance?  Do you notice hesitation?  Share this with God in your journal.

Practice:

This week, let’s spend some time looking at our life and asking God if there is something he is inviting us to obey.  Listen for promptings from the Spirit.  Do you sense any leading from God in a new direction?  Do you feel called towards a new habit, behavior, or way of thinking?  Is there someone or some thing God is nudging you towards?  Ask God these questions and spend some time listening.  If you do notice a prompting, ask God for the bravery and boldness to obey.