Hardly anyone likes to “obey” someone. I spent time with my two-year-old granddaughter yesterday and watched as she playfully ran away from her daddy when he told her it was time to leave a party at our house. He used a more serious, commanding tone the second time and she pouted a little, then followed him to the door. She was rewarded by him scooping her up in his arms and giving her a kiss. I think that’s how it basically is with our heavenly Father. Sometimes we just don’t want to do what is asked of us, even though we know it is God’s will or is for a greater good, especially if it’s no fun, it’s not what we want,or it causes hardship or even heartache. I’ve been reading out of Jeremiah in the Bible and often feel like Baruch, the scribe who wrote down the prophet Jeremiah’s words from God to warn the people of Israel to repent and change their ways. The King got so angry with Jeremiah and Baruch that he jailed the prophet and  burned Baruch’s scrolls. Yet Jeremiah asked Baruch to start over and write everything down again! We’ve all probably once in our lives had to completely start a task over from scratch…we deleted a file by accident on our computer, we lost important papers, a piece of artwork got damaged…and our first reaction was, “no way!” But then we knew we had to do it, had to obey. We were furious, depressed, sullen. That’s how Baruch felt, saying “…the Lord has added sorrow to my pain; I am weary with my groaning and have found no rest.” And God said, “…are you seeking great things for yourself? Do not seek them; for behold, I am going to bring disaster on all flesh…but I will give your life to you…in all the places where you may go.” (Jer 45: 2-5)  As we all know, it is hard to be good and to follow God’s will (even though I have a passion to be an author, I don’t always like writing and have sometimes even questioned God, asking “Why did you pick me to do this?!”) And yet I am constantly reminded in the Bible to persevere in faith and not worry about the future because I will be rewarded. “If you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land,” (Is 1:19) and “Oh, that their hearts would be inclined to fear me and keep all my commands always, so that it might go well with them and their children forever!” (Deut 5:29) and “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.” (Matt 7:21). I pray I can be obedient through good times and bad, knowing my reward will be great in heaven.
Hi Michelle
Boy! Did I need to hear your lesson on obedience. I am going to give you a call as I need advise on writing…for that is what I am called to do as well. But there is pain in the writing…but only for a bit and then I can focus on the healing and the Presence of His Light. Also, the verse from Deuteronomy that you used can be found on a poster on the fold up wall at the Women’s meeting on Mondays in Rising Sun, MD. I remember the first time I read that poster…it was a God smack when I was in early recovery–Him letting me know that all that He asks me to do (Breathing sober and Step work) is so that all will go well for me down here. He is guiding me with His Hand upon me in the way that I should go and how I should be and to give an answer. That is what my writing is – that I may give an answer for all the things I have seen and been given the Gift to bare witness to in this walk in the Light of the Lord, Who has shown me great mercy, and from God, for He has abundantly pardoned. Talk to ya later I love you so very much.
Hi Lorena,
Thank you so much for taking the time to read my blog and comment on it, I love what you wrote and I love you too! You have a gift with words too, I can tell just by your comment, and I love that you can relate on so many levels. I hope you keep writing your testimony because you have so much to share with others. Please call me any time!
Love and hugs, Michele