Songbird is my reigning Queen of Debate. She’s a history, law, and politics buff, and she truly knows her stuff. But that doesn’t stop Hubby and me from going toe to toe with her. Sometimes it’s frustrating when she won’t concede or agree with us on certain issues, but often she wows us with her tenacity and skill. Not only does she prove a worthy sparring partner in the debate ring, she shows she’ll hold on to her ideals, opinions, and values, and when she’s confronted, stay true to herself.
But “wow” isn’t always a factor. Everything’s not debatable. When it comes down to it, “Don’t try to figure out what I mean. Just do what I say” rules the day. It doesn’t sound pretty in a world where everybody deserves to be happy and to parents who care how their children feel, but I’m just trying to finish this race well, not winning best speaker. That means ensuring my little people are running right beside me. They need to know the value of obedience and trust. Of being more a hearer and a doer, and less a whiner and debater. Of knowing when to say “Yes, sir” and save the questions and backtalk for another time.
In case you wondered, I’m singing alto in that choir I’m preaching to. And yes, I’ve sung this song before, but it’s time for an encore performance. Basically, I hear God, but I want to talk about it first; explain my side of the story; give my reasons why I can’t, shouldn’t, and won’t. But unlike me, God isn’t wowed. What I call tenacity is an unwilling spirit. What I call caution is really fear. What I think is perfectionism is downright laziness. I need to practice, then preach.
Yes, obedience is hard. It involves letting go of self. Submission. Humility. Concession. For me it means closing my mouth, putting my fingers to the keyboard daily, ignoring the world, more Bible study, talking to people I don’t want to, turning off House Hunters, training my body for His service, trusting God’s promises, forgiving folks, praying, and accepting when I don’t know anything, can’t do everything, and should do nothing—well, nothing but trust and obey the One who actually knows His stuff.
What does obedience look like for you? Maybe it’s working in a career you don’t enjoy or leaving a job you love. Perhaps it’s waiting quietly for His answer or bravely confronting a difficult person or situation. It could be seeking joy in a time of sorrow. Are you willing to just do what God says and stop trying to figure out what He means? Let’s pray for each other, that we can humbly yield God the floor. By doing so, our little people just might trust Him and us more and the world a lot less.
“Woe to him who strives with his Maker! Let the potsherd strive with the potsherds of the earth! Shall the clay say to him who forms it, ‘What are you making?’ Or shall your handiwork say, ‘He has no hands’? Woe to him who says to his father, ‘What are you begetting?’ Or to the woman, ‘What have you brought forth?” Thus says the LORD, The Holy One of Israel, and his Maker: “Ask Me of things to come concerning My sons; And concerning the work of My hands, you command Me. I have made the earth, And created man on it. I—My hands—stretched out the heavens, And all their host I have commanded.” (Isaiah 45:9-12)
Love it. Powerful and beautifully written.
This article really made me stop and think…and question myself. Do I listen? Do I obey? Do I trust?.I truly didn’t like the answers. Obedience looks like discipline,commitment and submission to me and that is a struggle that prevents me from having a stronger relationship with God…but I know that if I surrender to his will that along with my ‘big ones’ I too may trust Him more and the world less.
Thank you for sharing that. Giving up control is hard, but really, we’re just acknowledging Who is really running things. I’ll be praying for you!