Praying for the "O" word

Obedience isn't something we usually talk about, unless referring to children or pets.  It seems to be cast into that "no longer necessary" pile once we cross that invisible line between childhood and adulthood.  Sure, we might "listen" to our boss, or "follow" instructions....but obey someone?  Nope.  I'm a grown up now and I don't have to!

We are dropping the word from marriage vows (remember when we promised to love, honor and obey?), dropping it from our parenting responsibilities (how many children have you seen in the store deliberately disobeying their parent(s)?) and even dropping it from our relationship with God.  The "O" word is becoming one of those dirty little words that nobody wants to talk about, much less do.

Why is obedience so important?  Without a chain of command there is chaos. The parent, who is supposed to be in authority, places their child in a position of uncertainty and even danger by not expecting obedience from the child.  An employee that refuses to obey the employer does nothing to strengthen the business, rather their actions bring harm to the whole.  And a servant of Christ that doesn't obey Him demonstrates his or her lack of love for Him.  Don't believe me?  Read John 14:15.

It goes against our flesh nature to put ourselves under the authority of another.  It is the aspect of ourselves that Satan has exploited since the garden when he enticed Eve to disobey God. (Genesis 3:1-4)  And yet obedience is one of the ways God tells us demonstrate our love for Him (John 14:15).  The Bible is full of stories revolving around obedience and disobedience.  (Jonah, Samuel, Saul (both Old and New Testament))  Paul instructed Titus to, "Remind (the people of Crete) to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work..." (Titus 3:1)  Obedience is an important aspect of a real, true relationship with Christ.

I encourage you to take the time to study God's word.  It is impossible to obey if you don't know the instructions.  Ask God to reveal the area of your life that you most need to submit to His authority.  Then pray for the Spirit to guide you in your obedience.  I promise you that He has your best interest at heart and while it may at times be hard to deny yourself the reward will be worth it once all is said and done.*originally published on Coffee with Christ

The Good Shepherd

 

I am not a country girl.  My father was a Navy man and I spent my younger years moving from city to city, always near an east coast port, and never anywhere near the country.  I never saw animals roaming in a field and the closest I have ever come to seeing a shepherd lead was during an exhibition at Bob Evans Farms.  To say that the comparison of God to a shepherd was lost on me is an understatement.  And yet David gave the name Jehovah Rohi to Him (Psalm 23), Isaiah tells us that the Jesus will care for us like shepherd (Isaiah 40:11), and even Jesus gives Himself the title of shepherd (John 10:11).  So what's so great about a shepherd?

In the first century, it wasn't.  Plain and simple -to be a shepherd was the lowest of the low.  They spent their lives in the fields with the sole purpose of tending their flocks.  They spent their days in the dirt, hot and sweaty and their nights either sleeping in the field or in a tent.  Their testimony was not admissible in a court, Pharisees considered them unclean, and they were often thought to be thieves (even if there was no proof).  Seriously?  Jesus called Himself one of these?

And then you delve a little deeper....and you see the beauty in the title.  A shepherd devoted his life to his flock.  He didn't abandon them, he never left them, he was there from the moment a lamb was conceived until their death.  He ate with his herd.  He slept among his heard.  He protected his herd.   Isn't that just like our God?  To take as His name what so many look down upon and turn it around and show the beauty in it?

You see, Jesus isn't about the crown.  He never set Himself up as better than anyone else.  Instead he devoted His ministry on earth to reaching out to those who needed Him most - the broken, the lost, the sinners, the lowest of the low.  He emphasized that they way to greatness was to live as the least.  (Luke 9:48,  Matthew 23:11)  His entire ministry was about service to others.  Isn't that what a shepherd does?  Serve his flock?

When we begin to understand the love and sacrifice involved in the title of Good Shepherd we lose the cute and cuddly image of a young boy standing in the field with a staff watching a peaceful flock of sheep.  Instead we see the scratched, bleeding man standing between the lion that seeks to devour his beloved flock and us.  We see the strength needed to put the needs of others, the safety of others, before His own.  We better understand the man on his knees in Gethsemene beseeching his Father to reveal another way to accomplish the task of salvation and then humbling submitting.  (Luke 22:41-44)  The One who stands before our enemy to protect us is the same that comforts, guides and loves us.  The Good Shepherd is a strong warrior with a gentle heart.  He is the one unwilling to let even one perish without every effort.(Matthew 18:12)

Am I a sheep?  You bet I am!  I seek to know His voice and I will follow Him where he leads, trusting Him all the way.  How about you?

*originally published on Coffee with Christ