God Blesses Obedience

I don’t know about you, but I like things to have order.   My sense of well-being is often derived from my understanding of order and control. I like to have specific guidelines and plans for my life and I like people around me having specific guidelines and plans for their lives as well.

However, I am learning of the futility of trying to be in control and plan out every aspect of life, especially when you have two toddlers in your home. I’ve attempted on several occasions to explain the concept of order to my children, James Scott and Lindsey, but they seem to have a slightly different interpretation of order. For example, I believe it is orderly to eat food from a plate with a spoon or fork, while sitting at the table. However, Lindsey believes the best meals come off the floor using your hands and James Scott believes that most meals should incorporate food throwing and emotional outbursts, usually followed by crying (Oh, sorry, the crying part is usually Beth).

What I have come to realize is that my understanding of order and control is limited. Although I might have influence, the truth is I don’t have control. I am learning that God doesn’t want me to become a person of strict control and order, rather God wants me to become a person willing to be obedient. Through obedience to God, I am better able to let go of my need for order and control by trusting that God has multiple and endless blessings just for me.

Still, it is often difficult for me to let go of my pseudo control over life. I, like many of you, struggle with the concept of obedience, especially when I’m the one called to be obedient by God. Yet, when I turn to Holy Scripture I am better able to glean a true understanding of obedience. Peter, Paul and a host of others struggled with the concept of obedience throughout much of their lives, but through obedience they became more richly blessed.

Likewise, I believe that God Blesses Obedience. The obedience to which I speak is not so much to one another, although I believe this is important, but obedience to God.  How is God calling you to obedience today?