Ever had a hard time obeying? I bet you have! Today I felt inspired to write about obedience.
Image by mohamed Hassan from Pixabay
For those of us living in the Western World, often, obedience tends to be seen as a negative. We are constantly taught to follow our own ways, do what we want to and not let anyone come in the way of that. But the reality is that this way of thinking causes a lot of problems in our lives, especially on our journey as Christians. Jesus tells us very clearly, "If ye love me, keep my commandments." John 14:23. Obedience is a must when we become Christians. Becoming Christians means we believe and trust Jesus. This is faith. But more than that, we're told that "faith without works is dead also" James 2:26. This means that with our faith must comes actions that prove we have faith: obedience to God's requirements.
To some, the thought of obeying someone else rather than themselves makes us cringe. We feel like that would enslave us and we often feel miserable about it. And that's exactly what Satan wants! He wants us to believe that following God and His laws means to live a miserable life. Let me tell you one thing though, that's a lie!! There's nothing wiser we can do in this world than to follow God's guidance and His Word.
So why should we trust God? I think the answer is pretty simple:
1. God knows the end from the beginning.
"Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me, Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done.." Isaiah 46:9-10
Wow! In this life we never 100% follow our own ways. Often, we ask our parents or friends and family for advice about anything. Well, imagine having a friend who knows the end from the beginning! How handy to have someone who can give you the best advice in the world no? That's God!
2. God created us.
Because of this, He knows us by heart. He knows what we need to succeed, to live content lives and feel fulfilled. He is our creator! Those who create/build cars know exactly what they need right? They need proper maintenance and fuel among other things. Same for God towards us! He knows what we need to thrive spiritually, mentally and physically.
3. We should trust God because He genuinely wants our best.
God tells us :
"For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope." Jeremiah 29:11.
God loves us and wants us to be happy. The things He asks of us are not to make us miserable. They are to make us better, stronger and more content. At first, it may feel unpleasant but in the grand scheme of things that's when we'll realize it was all for our best. It always is when it comes to following God. God is not a tyrant wanting absolute obedience for His own good but ultimately it's for the good of others and ourselves that He asks things from us. His pleasure comes from that! And our pleasure should come from serving God because we know that all He asks from us is for the ultimate best.
Let me conclude with this thought,
I know it's hard.
God knows it's hard too. Jesus Himself struggled to do God's will in the end. He didn't want to go to the cross yet He chose to do God's will. The point is, Jesus understands your struggle. He understands your weaknesses. We're told of Him that "we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin" Hebrews 4:15. He's been there and he gets it but more than that He came out victorious. And this is the last reason we should trust Him: He is the best example of perfect obedience. Often our parents tell us to do things that they themselves don't do. Jesus isn't like that. He walked the walk and He talked the talk, in order for us to really look up to Him and trust Him even more. This is why He tells us: "These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world." John 16:33.
Now I'm not saying you should be leaving this page all happy to obey. No. Obedience is a struggle even when we have our mindsets changed. It's something that doesn't happen overnight even if we understand why we should do it. I struggle with obedience everyday. But I'd like to encourage you to keep going to Jesus. There's something I've been struggling with for a week now in regards to obedience. Often I try making loopholes as to why I shouldn't obey. Or I try to reason a way out of obeying. But this time, I confessed towards God that I need to obey and that I really don't want to. And since then I've been asking for help to obey. God is slowly working on my heart to help me, to reason with me and strengthen me. But all this wouldn't happen unless I had a personal relationship with Him. Telling Him the truth rather than hiding from His face. When we feel unwilling to obey God and want to do our own thing often we just want to hide from God. We feel guilty and ashamed and don't go to Him. But that spirit is from the enemy. He doesn't want you to go to God because he knows God is our Strength and can help us overcome all things. So please, don't be afraid to go to God. Even if you're stuck in your ways, even if you don't want to change something, even if you don't want to do something, just go to Him. Tell Him.
God says:
Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. Isaiah 1:18
Go to God, tell Him how you truly feel because let's be honest, He already knows! Talk to Him, listen to what He has to say and ask for help. Sometimes it doesn't happen overnight but what can be done immediately is building that relationship with Him in order to get to the point of obedience. We need to come to Jesus as we are, not as what we think He wants us to be. Don't wait to be perfect and do everything right before going to Jesus. He's there to help sinners not perfect people.
I hope you feel encouraged by this and please remember: God loves you. I know sometimes we can be really hard on ourselves but God looks at us with pity and love, not hate. So go to Him with anything please !!
May God bless you all abundantly and thanks for reading.
Prayer to pray: Dear God, you know I struggle with __________. I just want to ask for forgiveness for my unwillingness to give this up/to change/ to do this etc. I really don't want to do what you ask of me but I come to You asking for help. I don't want to do things begrudgingly but out of a heart that is happy to serve you. Please help me change. Thank you for your love and patience. In the name of Jesus I pray, Amen.
Much love and smiles,
Nahisha :)
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