One morning recently, we were running late. I was trying to motivate my two boys to get ready for school and gather all the things together that they needed for the day. Of course, they did not see the need to rush as I instructed them to get their clothes, shoes, and lunchboxes together. They would much rather have continued playing with their Legos than put on their socks and shoes. I told them, “Will you just do what I tell you to do? Life would be so much easier if you just did what was asked of you.”
Then God reminded me that this principle does not just apply to my children; it also applies to me. I wonder how often God thinks of me and says, “Would you just do what I told you to do, the first time?”
I was reminded of the verse in John 15:14, Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. On the surface, this verse almost seems a little harsh and almost childish, as if it meant just, “I’ll be your friend as long as you do what I want to do.” That is not the case at all. Jesus is always our Friend, but He is also our Lord and our Authority. A good relationship with any authority requires obedience based on the trust that the authority can see the bigger picture.
I spoke with one of my boys this morning about which teacher was going to be in morning care the following week, and his face dropped as he said, “She’s a mean teacher.” I was shocked because this teacher is one of the sweetest teachers I have ever known. However, this teacher seemed mean to him because one morning recently, he was being disobedient, resulting in this teacher pulling him aside to speak sternly to him. I told my son that the teacher was only “mean” because he was disobeying, and he would find her to be a very kind teacher as long as he followed the rules.
Likewise, Jesus wants us as His friends, but that requires obedience because as it says in Amos 3:3, Can two walk together, except they be agreed? Our obedience should be ready and willing when the Lord tells us how and what to do. An obedient life is an easy life; hence, a surrendered heart is a happy heart.
Today, as with every day, we have a choice: will we choose to respect God’s authority and obey? Instead, will we choose to resist His instructions and authority to do what we in our flesh want to do? A good day is heavily contingent on which way we choose today. Choose to obey!
by Vicki Voorhis