Psalm 119:35 Direct me in the path of your commands, for there I find delight. Psalm 128:1 Blessed are all who fear the LORD, who walk in his ways. Jeremiah 7:23 ...but I gave them this command: Obey me, and I will be your God and you will be my people. Walk in all the ways I command you, that it may go well with you. James 1:22 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. We adopted an adorable five year old dog from our local animal shelter this past summer. Kita is a very smart girl, and when she wants to, she can obey with the best of them... sit, stay, wait, heel, down, come... but only when she believes it is in her best interest... waiting for her food, going out for a walk, the promise of a belly rub, anticipating a treat...
But at other times, she can be stubborn and disobedient. When she believes her way is better, she chooses to disobey. She chooses her own path. We have learned that she is what they call a "runner." If she gets out on her own, she will run far from you and not come back. She turns her sweet, scruffy face away and pretends she doesn't even know you... she runs away and won't listen to our voice calling her back home. Off she goes, running free with exhilaration and abandon; not realizing that she is running away from her safety. Running away from her source of life. While we are calling her back home, she willfully and naturally chooses the wrong way. I'm sure it feels exciting and marvelous at the time, but I'm afraid there will be a time when she realizes she has made a mistake and she is so very far away...
Obedience. Even those of us who tend to be rule followers will sometimes bristle at the word... we can feel stifled, constrained, restricted. But obedience to God is just the opposite... obedience means journeying on His path, staying in His will. Experiencing all the fullness of life that He had always planned for us. When we obey God, we are running with Him... fully participating in His will. Disobeying God and His commands can take us in an opposite direction from His will for us. Our disobedience brings us to places He never meant for us to be -- places so very far from His intentions for our lives. Places where we are in danger of losing our way... Dear Heavenly Father, Your commands are good. Your plans are perfect. LORD, I want to run with You, not run away from You. I praise You because You have such a wonderful path for me... designed by You, my Creator, specifically for me. Please help me to remember that obedience to Your Word means freedom. Freedom to enjoy an abundant life centered firmly in You. Amen.
In the Perfection and Obedience post (4/11/13), I share my testimony with middle and high school students during Chapel at my children's school. Here is the video of my talk with the students... It was my humble pleasure to be able to share God's story with them.
1 Corinthians 2:1-5 When I came to you, brothers, I did not come with eloquence or superior wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God. For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. I came to you in weakness and fear, and with much trembling. My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit's power, so that your faith might not rest on men's wisdom, but on God's power. I was asked to give my testimony of God's miracle in my life during the Middle School and High School chapels at my children's school. I agreed, and April 10 was the day of the "big talk." While I feel very comfortable writing and sharing my testimony in one-on-one or small group opportunities, I am not an orator. Speaking in front of groups is definitely not my strength... not at all. This was the first opportunity to share my story with an audience. On a stage. In the weeks prior to my chance to speak at Chapel, I prepared for my talk, organized my notes, and prayed that God would be with me. I imagined that since it was a story I knew so well, since I lived it, surely I would be able to speak it flawlessly, with strength and sureness... I have to admit... I was hoping to be amazing... I wasn't. I was hoping for perfect delivery, telling my story with clarity and strength... I didn't. Yes, it was good, but not amazing... not perfect... with a somewhat rocky start... In fact, after I spoke to both groups, I was somewhat disappointed in myself. I felt like I somehow let God down. I should have, could have, spoken with more eloquence... Yet God is so good. In His infinite perfection, plans, and purposes... He used it anyway. I have learned He used it to plant seeds, and bear fruit in children and adults. He used it to touch other lives... regardless of my imperfection.
God laid on my heart that He doesn't demand perfection. Only He is perfect... He wants us to be obedient. He wants us to say yes to opportunities put in our path to share His good works... to share His Good News... even when we are uncomfortable. Even when we don't shine, but He does. I realize now that if I was perfect, it would have been about me. And it wasn't about me at all. It was about Him. It is His story. It is His account of His power in my life and my family's life. And He can and will use it as He sees fit... despite my oration skills... despite my imperfections. Dear Heavenly Father, Thank you for continuing to teach me. LORD, You never stop moulding us, shaping us, and growing us. Help me to be obedient, even when it is uncomfortable. I praise You that You alone are perfect, and that You do not demand perfection from us. Help me to have a humble, servant heart. Use me for Your Kingdom in any way you choose. Thank you for the blessing of serving You. In Jesus' name I pray... Amen
Numbers 6:24-26 "The LORD bless you and keep you; The LORD make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the LORD turn His face toward you and give you peace." Psalm 29:11 "The LORD gives strength to His people; the LORD blesses His people with peace." Isaiah 54:10 "Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet My unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor My covenant of peace be removed," says the LORD, who has compassion on you." John 14:27 "Peace I leave with you; My peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid."
John 16:33 "I have told you these things, so in Me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." 2 Thessalonians 3:16 "Now may the Lord of peace Himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you." His Peace calms our hearts and minds... His Peace gives us hope... His Peace gives us strength and courage... Jesus is our Peace. Draw close to Him... and He will cover you with a Peace that the world cannot give.
I have a friend who simply needs Peace. The Peace that passes all understanding. The Peace that settles on you like a warm, soft blanket. The Peace that soothes you to sleep at night. The Peace that walks you gently through your day. The Peace that shepherds you through your storm... God's Peace... Jesus... our Prince of Peace. Heavenly Father, I am so very thankful that You are my Peace. LORD, I pray that all who seek You may know Your Peace. LORD, make Your face shine upon us... turn Your face toward us and give us Peace. Amen.
