In Obediance

“In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.” Proverbs 16:9

Yesterday afternoon I worked on the blog post for today. I wrestled with it, I overthought it, and I rushed something that shouldn’t be rushed, all for the sake of, getting it done. By 9:00 in the evening, I was in a ball of confusion, when my husband patiently reminded me that this might not be the right timing for this one. I cried a little, told myself I can’t do this anymore, and put my tired self to bed. While laying on my pillow, I worried that I had nothing to post for the morning. Then in a still small whisper I heard, Obedience…

I laid there and thought, how often do I try to get ahead of God, looking back asking Him to catch up? In life, it’s easy to try to do things on our own with our small-minded ideas, addressing things without referring to the one true God who knows it all. Galatians 2:20 reminds us, “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” When we live in God’s will, everything we do has purpose for the greater cause. It’s a daily dying to self, so that in obedience, we are in-step to His will and His way.

The most beautiful thing about being in obedience to God’s will, is it all stems from relationship with Him. It is not from laws and rules taught by men, it is by knowing the Father and knowing the power of His Spirit that lives in us. Growing up in the church, I used to love singing this song, “To know Him, to know Him, is the cry of my heart. Spirit reveal Him to me. To hear what he’s saying brings life to my bones. To know Him to know Him alone.” When we run ahead of God, our hearts cry is not to know Him, but to doubt Him. When we die to ourselves, meaning our own plans and ways, we are actually walking in great faith. Let us fully surrender and trust His plan and will above ours, even when it does not make sense, even when it is hard, even when it is confusing, because His will always leads to life and life more abundantly.  

“Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.” Hebrews 13:20-21 

I remember a few years ago I was having breakfast with my dear mentor, Karen Appleby. This sweet spiritual grandma was listening to me complaining about all these things that weren’t going my way. I was frustrated that MY plans were not working out and that MY idea of how things should go was far off from what was happening. She smiled in her gentle way, pointed her cute little finger at my chest and said, “well Emily, it’s not about you!” Ha! After breakfast, I got into the car and the Irish preacher on the radio was yelling, “it’s all about the Savior! It’s all about the Savior!” In the Denny’s parking lot, I sat in my car with both hands raised and I surrendered, once again to His will and His way.

Let us all remember this week, It’s all about the Savior! Let us re-align our ideas, thoughts, plans and way with His will and walk in obedience to what He is calling us to do. The blog post I was working on WILL happen, but now it will be in better alignment to His timing. Love and blessings, friends!

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5-6