Lessons and Choices
"Listen and Obey!" ... words heard very, very often around the Kadwell house as we try our best to teach our delightful children how to be responsible human beings.
Needless to say, we often feel as if our words fall on deaf ears!
I've been wondering lately, however, could those words also apply to me? I say them day after day (hour after hour?) to my own children, but could there be a deeper message to me in those times of frustration, those times of teaching?
Through a variety of events and interactions over the last six months, we've seen very clearly how God loves each one of us so very much. He wants us, as believers and adults, to grow into mature, loving, compassionate people. He gives us examples of how to act. He gives us guidance on which way to choose. He gives us opportunities to follow Him. He gives us second (and third and fourth) chances to 'get it right' when we make a complete mess out of things.
All the while, lovingly whispering, "Listen and Obey".
These are commands, yes, but they are also things we must choose to do. We cannot magically be obedient. We cannot will ourselves into a godly life. We cannot even pray our way into changed circumstances. We must be willing to listen to what God is telling us -- no matter how difficult -- and then choose to obey what He says.
The key word here? Choose.
This is an act of our will. It is something we have to do. It takes work. It takes effort. It might not be easy or fun. God will do His part... but we also have to do our part.
The problem is, we are prone to 1) being lazy; 2) wanting our own way; and/or 3) being afraid of what the 'obeying' part might really mean. That is where we have to trust God. We have to remember that He knows us intimately and wants what is best for us. He will only ask us to do things that will ultimately benefit us, encourage others, and bring Him glory.
So I guess, actually, the instruction is three-fold:
1. Listen
2. Trust
3. Obey
At night before bed, Claire likes me to sing her a song. We started out with 'Jesus Loves Me'... then after a few months moved on to 'Jesus Loves the Little Children'... and then after a few more months went on to the classic hymn 'Trust and Obey'. My prayer for Claire is that she would internalize the words of that hymn and it would become a part of her personal worldview and eventually her relationship with Jesus. But as I sing those precious words, I realize the instruction is also to me. The instruction is to all of us.
Like the toddler testing the waters and learning the boundaries of responsibilities, let not His words to all of us fall on deaf ears and unwilling spirits.
Listen. Trust. Obey.
~lk
Needless to say, we often feel as if our words fall on deaf ears!
I've been wondering lately, however, could those words also apply to me? I say them day after day (hour after hour?) to my own children, but could there be a deeper message to me in those times of frustration, those times of teaching?
Through a variety of events and interactions over the last six months, we've seen very clearly how God loves each one of us so very much. He wants us, as believers and adults, to grow into mature, loving, compassionate people. He gives us examples of how to act. He gives us guidance on which way to choose. He gives us opportunities to follow Him. He gives us second (and third and fourth) chances to 'get it right' when we make a complete mess out of things.
All the while, lovingly whispering, "Listen and Obey".
These are commands, yes, but they are also things we must choose to do. We cannot magically be obedient. We cannot will ourselves into a godly life. We cannot even pray our way into changed circumstances. We must be willing to listen to what God is telling us -- no matter how difficult -- and then choose to obey what He says.
The key word here? Choose.
This is an act of our will. It is something we have to do. It takes work. It takes effort. It might not be easy or fun. God will do His part... but we also have to do our part.
The problem is, we are prone to 1) being lazy; 2) wanting our own way; and/or 3) being afraid of what the 'obeying' part might really mean. That is where we have to trust God. We have to remember that He knows us intimately and wants what is best for us. He will only ask us to do things that will ultimately benefit us, encourage others, and bring Him glory.
So I guess, actually, the instruction is three-fold:
1. Listen
2. Trust
3. Obey
At night before bed, Claire likes me to sing her a song. We started out with 'Jesus Loves Me'... then after a few months moved on to 'Jesus Loves the Little Children'... and then after a few more months went on to the classic hymn 'Trust and Obey'. My prayer for Claire is that she would internalize the words of that hymn and it would become a part of her personal worldview and eventually her relationship with Jesus. But as I sing those precious words, I realize the instruction is also to me. The instruction is to all of us.
Like the toddler testing the waters and learning the boundaries of responsibilities, let not His words to all of us fall on deaf ears and unwilling spirits.
Listen. Trust. Obey.
~lk
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