Confession time: over the past couple months I've come face to face with an area of disobedience in my life. I haven't fully obeyed the Lord’s calling on my life to be a writer. My heart said “yes” to Him, and I do write – now and again. I write these monthly blogs; I’ve written some stories; and I’ve launched a few Journal Journeys. All good, for sure.
But I know in my heart, and I can see in my daily and weekly rhythms, that I have not been completely obedient. I haven’t set apart designated writing time in my schedule. I haven’t prioritized the work of writing in my life. I’m not investing my resources – my time, talent, and treasure – into this calling in the way that it requires. At the end of the day, my obedience has been slow and inconsistent.
When our kids were little, we taught them that true obedience looked like “right away and all the way.” When our heart says “yes” to the Lord AND we carry a task through to completion, then He is honored by our obedience. But when we allow ourselves to get distracted, drag our feet, or don’t take our obedience seriously, we dishonor God and fail to fulfill His purpose. I have come to understand that there is a difference between being willing and being obedient. (Jesus taught this truth through The Parable of the Two Sons in Matthew 21.)
Ephesians 2:10 says that “we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” For me, writing is a good work that God prepared in advance for me. And He has prepared me for it — I know that. I was blessed with two excellent writing teachers in school; I am gifted at it; and I LOVE doing it! But still, I waver in my commitment to it! Why is that?!
I now realize I’ve been investing myself – my time and energy – into a flurry of other good works that I am not necessarily called to. I’ve been trying to be obedient to what I thought a “good” Christian should do. I’ve been obeying the calling of “I should” do this and “I should” do that, instead of obeying the true call of God’s voice. And these “shoulds” fill my days, my weeks … my whole life! … with a busyness that keeps me from fulfilling the good work God created me for! Misplaced obedience has led me from the path of true obedience.
In the book Song of Solomon, I found a picture illustration that describes what I’ve been experiencing. This book of scripture highlights the ups and downs of a love relationship between a man and his bride as a beautiful poetic picture of God’s love for us. Verse 2:15 gives this instruction: “Catch for us the foxes, the little foxes that ruin the vines.” In my life, the little foxes have always been “the shoulds.” They nibble away at the vine in my life – my ability to stay connected to the true vine, Jesus (John 15). They dig holes under my desire to hear His voice and obey His instructions. And too often, I run after “the shoulds,” instead of following the One Who made me, Who loves me, and Who knows what is best for me. These “little foxes” have been a distraction and a hindrance impacting my full obedience to God.
Jesus is the best example we can look to for a person who lived in full obedience to the call of God. We are forever changed because He obediently gave up His life on the Cross to save us from the curse of sin and death and set us free for abundant lives of blessing. But His obedience went beyond this one tremendous feat; it was a daily submission to the will of His Father. John 5:19 tells us that Jesus only did what He saw the Father was doing. Jesus didn’t give in to “the shoulds” even though He was surrounded by hurting and helpless people. Everywhere He turned He could have preached the words of God, healed the sick, cast out demons, raised the dead, and extended His Kingdom. But He didn’t do these things all the time, even though the need was there. He didn’t try to be all things to all people. He didn’t step in to fix every situation. Even though He could, He wasn’t ruled by “the shoulds.” He didn’t act unless He knew that was what His Father wanted Him to do.
This is the way that we, too, must obey God to complete the good works He intends for us to do. We will fulfill His will for our lives when we abide with Him closely enough to hear His voice, and when we set our hearts, our minds, and even our schedules(!) to live in obedience to His call.
What about you, Dear One? Is there a good work you know God has prepared for you? How is it going? Is anything distracting you or hindering you from getting it done? If necessary, I encourage you to recommit your heart to obey God’s leading in your life. Then ask Him to help you remove any obstacles so that you can stay the course with joy and success.
A Prayer:
Lord God, thank You for Your love for me and for the good works You have called me to. It is a joy to serve You. Forgive me if I have not done the things You asked me to do. Help me to rededicate my heart and my life and realign my actions to fulfill Your purposes for me. Please help me to live in obedience to You for Your Glory.
