by Susan Brinley

Having been challenged recently by Pastor Mazak’s message on Obedience and Blessing from Proverbs 3, I have been thinking about aspects of obedience applicable to my own life. As a child I would occasionally daydream about the years ahead as an adult in which I wouldn’t have to obey others. I seemed to have the idea that adults didn’t have to obey anyone, were in charge of their own lives, and could have others do their bidding. How wrong I was! Yet several aspects of obedience have become clearer to me over the years and something for ongoing consideration and response.

We are always children, children of God. As such in our human imperfection, we will always need guidance from the Holy Spirit to keep on doing right, improving our attitude, and taking action on the Lord’s prompting. A word of kindness to a stranger, an attitude adjustment in undesirable circumstances, a choice to forgive another in something small or large, a word of testimony or a tract given to a seemingly unlikely prospect who needs the Lord.

We are being evaluated by the world and those around us based on our behavior, a product of our obedience. Like it or not, value judgments are constantly being made about our responses to life. Our obedience to the Word will form our character and present a picture of Christlikeness to those around us. How clear is my picture? The two greatest commandments give us a solid checkpoint: Do I love the LORD GOD with all my heart? Do I love my neighbor as myself?

There is no small obedience. Even as we note a child’s obedience in small ways and commend the parents, so our obedience is noted and observed not just by others, but by the Lord Himself. Often, when prompted by a specific thought to do or say something, or carry out a seemingly insignificant task, we think “Oh, that’s such a small thing, I can do that any time,” not realizing that even this thing is a call now from the Lord small but critical for our good and future blessing.

What call for obedience can I meet today to honor my Father, strengthen my relationship with Him, and be more Christlike in my daily life?

Teach me to do thy will; for thou art my God: thy spirit is good; lead me into the land of uprightness (Psalm 143:10).