Obedience, a theme painted all throughout the Bible and our day to day lives.
As I have said before, I like to have things planned out, organized, and ready to be done before I can even rethink the upcoming events. I have realized that my plans are all too often trumped by something bigger, better, and more radical in God's scheme of things. I never planned to spend a semester in Uganda.....I planned to fly through four years of college and do something with my life, but that's the problem. I focused on future tense things instead of considering what I am doing in the now.
In James we are told not to brag about the future because we claim it as our own instead of listening for and obeying God's voice (or even considering His plan). When I planned the next several years of my life absolutely none of what I am doing now was listed. As God pointed me in a different directions than what I had planned it frustrated me....I knew this would make things harder. But we aren't promised an easy route. We are just told to be obedient to His call. The best definition of obedience I have ever been given is "all the way, right away, with a happy heart". When God tells us to do something we are to obey....it's as simple as that. "Anyone, then who knows the good he ought to do and doesn't do it sins." James 4:17
Being someone that wants to know the layout for my entire life, I often ask God what He wants from me, but the truth is I already know.....we have an entire book dedicated to instructing us in how to live. We ask not because we do not know, but because we are hoping somehow God will change his mind to match what we have already planned for our own lives.
" He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God". Micah 6:8
When you commit to something you do it all the way, when it matters to you, you do it right away, when you realize it's worth, you do it with a happy heart regardless of what the request or instruction is. When God speaks, I want to respond in obedience, not regret. Obedience, after all does not require understanding, but action.
All the way, right away, with a happy heart.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QSGAnIIyaqw
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Monday, March 7, 2011
Four letters that change my life continuously
L.O.V.E.
It's a word we hear in all the new songs, a phrase we hear a mother say to her child, a way we live. Love is a word that scares me to death. It calls for commitment and sacrifice. When I say I love someone I am expressing my utmost dedication to them......I might as well say "I will do anything in the world for you and your happiness". I have been working my way through the book of Hosea for the past week or so and am continuously blown away by this perfect picture of love that God portrays to and through Israel (Gomer).
When God calls us to do hard things we think He has traded us off for something better or completely forgotten about us altogether, but God tells Hosea to go and marry a prostitute even though the two of them are completely aware of her unfaithfulness. In the same way, I think God has us experience difficult circumstances. In Hosea's story, he searches out Gomer multiple times in hopes of her finally being faithful. This is to show the reader how God is constantly in pursuit of us even when we are disobedient or literally run from Him and His plans for our lives.
After getting my acceptance letter for Uganda love took on a new definition for me. I'm sure we would all say we love God, but do we love what He is doing in our lives? Uganda is a hard thing for me. (It's not God telling me to go marry a man-whore, but it's still not easy!) Going means leaving everything. My friends, my family, my work, all my future plans......all the things that I value and enjoy. Do I love God to the point that I am willing to give all of this up for a semester in another country? I don't know if the better word here is "love" or "trust". The two words are becoming one in the same for me. If we love Him then wouldn't we trust Him?
Hosea trusted and loved God enough to be obedient to the point of marrying a prostitute. God did this all to show how He dearly loves His people (that includes you and me). "For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and acknowledgment of God rather than burnt offerings" (Hosea 6:6) Love of God requires action; mercy, obedience, and trust. We do these things because He loves us. Obedience does not require understanding, but it does requires trust.
"Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth" 1 John 3:18
It's a word we hear in all the new songs, a phrase we hear a mother say to her child, a way we live. Love is a word that scares me to death. It calls for commitment and sacrifice. When I say I love someone I am expressing my utmost dedication to them......I might as well say "I will do anything in the world for you and your happiness". I have been working my way through the book of Hosea for the past week or so and am continuously blown away by this perfect picture of love that God portrays to and through Israel (Gomer).
When God calls us to do hard things we think He has traded us off for something better or completely forgotten about us altogether, but God tells Hosea to go and marry a prostitute even though the two of them are completely aware of her unfaithfulness. In the same way, I think God has us experience difficult circumstances. In Hosea's story, he searches out Gomer multiple times in hopes of her finally being faithful. This is to show the reader how God is constantly in pursuit of us even when we are disobedient or literally run from Him and His plans for our lives.
After getting my acceptance letter for Uganda love took on a new definition for me. I'm sure we would all say we love God, but do we love what He is doing in our lives? Uganda is a hard thing for me. (It's not God telling me to go marry a man-whore, but it's still not easy!) Going means leaving everything. My friends, my family, my work, all my future plans......all the things that I value and enjoy. Do I love God to the point that I am willing to give all of this up for a semester in another country? I don't know if the better word here is "love" or "trust". The two words are becoming one in the same for me. If we love Him then wouldn't we trust Him?
Hosea trusted and loved God enough to be obedient to the point of marrying a prostitute. God did this all to show how He dearly loves His people (that includes you and me). "For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and acknowledgment of God rather than burnt offerings" (Hosea 6:6) Love of God requires action; mercy, obedience, and trust. We do these things because He loves us. Obedience does not require understanding, but it does requires trust.
"Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth" 1 John 3:18
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