Journey into Obediencefeatured

“I ask that we love one another.  And this is love: that we walk in obedience to His commands. As you have heard from the beginning, His command is that you walk in love.” 2 John 5-6

Last year on this day, I launched this website.  I didn’t do this because I was equipped or trained to build a website, or to paint, or even to write devotionals.  I did this because I felt God calling me to do this crazy thing!  I immediately obeyed Him and here I am writing my 44^th devotional.

Now my normal response to God’s call is NOT immediate obedience.  I wish that were the case, but my normal response is more like: “That doesn’t fit in with my plans” or “I’ll think about that later” or “If I ignore this for long enough maybe it will go away.”  For some reason His tug on my heart a little over a year ago was so strong, that I couldn’t ignore it or postpone it.  I think God wanted to teach me a few things about obedience!

The verse that accompanies the painting above was unfamiliar to me until this week, but it tells me that obedience is the product of love – love for God.  Jesus was pretty clear about obedience too.  In Luke 11: 28 Jesus says, “Blessed . . . are those who hear the word of God and obey it.”

My love of God must be based on my trust in Him.  Scripture is chock-ful of evidence of His love for us, and His desires for the absolute best each of us.  He alone knows how His plans will advance His purposes and bring joy and fulfillment to me (Jeremiah 29:11).  So why in the world, do I resist His plans so regularly?  Why do I think that my own plans will bring me more fulfillment?  Frankly, the evil one fills my head with his lies, and I am susceptible and my trust withers and fades.

Even when we obey God’s call for us, the evil one is not through with his deceit.  We think, “If I am doing what God has called me to do, surely the road will be smooth and obstacle free!”  This is a huge lie!  The painting above reminds me of what happened to the Apostle Paul after he heeded the call of God.  He went from being a respected synagogue leader to be an shipwrecked itinerant preacher, an inmate and ultimately a martyr.   He walked right into a storm!  Despite all of that, he was filled with gratitude, love and joy, which frankly seems unnatural.

Obeying God’s call won’t necessarily make us a success as the world defines it. Obedience doesn’t remove all the obstacles, problems and storms in our lives.  What it offers is far more valuable.  It draws us closer to the One in whom we live and move and have our being (Acts 17:28).  In Philippians 3:8 Paul says, “What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ.”  He was able to see his situation from God’s eternal perspective rather than the world’s view, enabling him to experience “unnatural” gratitude, love and joy.

Based on Ephesians 2:10 (“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”), God has things for us to do!  I need to be obedient to whatever God has prepared for me.  I really shudder to think of all the opportunities to know Him better that I have already passed up.  I pray that that through the power of the Holy Spirit, my love and trust for God will remain strong when I hear His call.  My prayer for you is the same.  In obedience He offers us Himself and the joy and fulfillment that come from knowing Him.  What a gift!

P.S.  In celebration of God’s provision over the last year, I am holding a sale on all my artwork during the month of May – 30% off!  A painting with a Biblical message might make a great Mother’s Day, wedding or graduation gift!  Check out my Gallery for details. [jetpack_subscription_form]