Obedience

Life has a funny way of dishing you a couple of things. I have had quite an experience processing this one, reason being it is a truth I am well familiar to but I really didn’t put it to play.
There’s something about knowing God’s word by heart, meditating on it and being aware of that which is expected of you versus literally living it out. Walking in obedience, instant obedience, is an act that God treasures as it makes us usable for His work and builds a trust that is necessary for us to live in communion with Him. Typical scenario being; we cry out to God for Him to use us, manifest Himself in our lives yet we aren’t willing to pay the price. 1 Samuel 15:22-24 is crystal clear on the importance of obedience and how much God treasures it as Saul lost his kingship due to lack thereof.  I love the Message Bible version of these verses;

“Then Samuel said, Do you think all GOD wants are sacrifices— empty rituals just for show? He wants you to listen to him! Plain listening is the thing, not staging a lavish religious production. Not doing what GOD tells you is far worse than fooling around in the occult. Getting self-important around GOD is far worse than making deals with your dead ancestors. Because you said No to GOD ’s command, he says No to your kingship.”

Walking in obedience is way tougher than it looks, more daunting than you would imagine especially if you are a people person, one with a desire for that approval from men. The Holy Spirit has more recently been bringing me to conviction over this bit. In hindsight though, He really is full of grace as I have been far from pleasant to deal with. I have found myself struggling or not following through even the simplest of instructions at all, definitely getting me in murky waters of different degrees with given scenarios.

It has been quite a struggle especially on occasions that my mind reminds me I know better and my will refuses to be submitted to the task ahead. My last experience being on Tuesday after an amazing meeting, I picked up my tab and this time I decided to pay in cash, all I had was just enough. I didn’t follow up on the change as I decided to tip, it wasn’t much. As I was doing this, I was quickened against it but I shook it off. The second check being as I was leaving my mentor asks, “Are you sure you want to leave that?”(referring to my change). Just before we leave the place the unsettling feeling heightens and they ask again this time with greater emphasis. Trying to maintain my stand, I chose not to go get it irrespective. We must have taken longer as we were winding up because as I was checking out, my chip coin just wouldn’t. I had to re-validate it and yes, you guessed it right, I was short the exact amount I left on that table to tip the waiter. 😂😂 This is just one of the many incidences that I have had as I was seeking out my way in the given instructions, nothing to be proud of but a proper example of the aftermath disobedience drags in.

The children of Israel in Exodus 16:4 receive very simple instructions which this time round was God testing them on obedience and their spiritual maturity. You see obedience comes as simply as it is required and we only get to mess it up when we feel the need to work on more than we have been asked to. Our God remains a gracious God but even so, we are called to be sensitive to His guidance. Disobedience does just contrary to that, it hardens our heart and conscience to God’s directions and may as well corrupt the faith of others.

The many times the Spirit has called me to obedience over ‘trivial’ matters and I have not been so quick to respond, the consequences of my disobedience awaited. Truth is; it always stung so bad as it called for me to experience more humiliating and uncomfortable situations than that I had initially shied away from. Oh how so quickly I forget!  Till I find myself in another of those webs that I’ve carefully woven by being disobedient!

The time we take in trying to determine whether or not it is indeed a worthy cause, is what we should have been quick in acting on the given instructions. That instance when you realize that your obedience may be tied to someone’s blessing should be enough to have you jumping at it without any second thought. We need to realize we can’t play God. It is not upon us to decide whether some of these instructions are appropriate or even probable. Just Do It! That’s all He wants and asks of you. He has made it that simple but we fail to recognize it.

Leading a life surrendered to God is the only and easiest way to lead an obedient life. You will have to die to self first before getting to experience the joys of leading life obediently.

So the next time you are prompted or stirred by the Holy Spirit to execute given instructions remember that DELAYED OBEDIENCE is in every way DISOBEDIENCE.

You’ve got so much more to loose as you ‘assess’ the risks involved.

Hugs and Kisses❤️❤️