Some choices come easy. Those that do, usually don’t qualify as obedience.
I don’t fish. I’d be hard-pressed if you asked me to set a fishing pole. When I came across this sign on my walk, I chuckled and said to myself,
“I can do that!”
I had no problem obeying. Digging through six inches of fresh snow and several inches of ice and wait in the cold for a bite does not sound like a merry pastime to me. (I know some of you are avid ice-fishermen. Sorry, for you the analogy has just broken down.)
Obedience involves deliberate thought and effort. It is usually inconvenient, hard, annoying and scary. Our adoption worker told us something five years ago. Her words still come back to me.
“If adoption was easy, everybody would be doing it!”
Following Jesus into any calling is more than not doing something. Christian obedience is costly. Submitting to Christ means to follow Him, often into uncomfortable situations, many times seemingly impossible circumstances.
However, Jesus has promised to be with us. He told us He’d leave us a Helper who would not abandon us to the insurmountable. For the follower of Christ, the Holy Spirit is never more than a breath away. He lives in us.
With His help we can do more than simply follow what comes easy; In Him we have the power to obey, no matter how difficult the mission.
“If you love me, keep my commands. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.”
John 14:15-18
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Being in a place where physical pain has threatened to overwhelm me during the past several months, your post spoke to my reality. In those moments when I have given over to despair (mainly having to do with fear of what my future holds) His gentle voice has asked this question,”Kathie, will you trust Me in this?” As I have refused fear’s call and responded, “Yes Lord, I will trust You in this,” He has been faithful to calm my mind and heart. What you say is absolutely true: “With His help we can do more than simply follow what comes easy; In Him we have the power to obey, no matter how difficult the mission.” Thank you, Heidi! ❤️
Sweet Friend, I am praying for you. Your trust in this trial has been so inspiring to me. Your deep abiding joy in Jesus is pouring out of every fiber … despite your pain. Thank you for encouraging others while you trust the Lord with your future. Love you, Kathie! ❤️
Well Heidi, A no fishing marina. What’s this world coming to?? LOL
But to the point, I once heard two sermon points that I will always remember. #1 develop your listening ability to God’s voice. #2 Develop your response-ability to what God asks (double meaning intended so technically a 3 point sermon).
Love the snow picture!
Now I will remember those sermon points, too! I love “response-ability” … Stay warm up there 😬
You know, I can not fish in the marina, too. No problem! My husband, on the other hand, would struggle with that one. 😀
He can do the fishing and you the eating 😂 … Thanks for reading and commenting, Linda! Blessings