When asked to speak at a local women’s retreat recently, I was told the topic would be: ”Being Still in the midst of a Busy Schedule”. As I contemplated what being still meant, I did a lot of research, did a lot of praying, and did a lot of, well, being still. Interestingly enough, being still was the hardest part of the preparation! I figured I wasn’t alone in this observation, and when talking with women at the retreat I heard many of the same objections to being still that I had. Even as you read this, I’m sure there are objections arising in you for why it’s too difficult to be still. However, especially for the purposes of this post, I will not be focusing on being still, but on obedience.
See, it doesn’t really matter if we’re being commanded to be still and rest in the presence of the LORD, or if we’re commanded to have no other gods before our God, or if we’re commanded not to be unequally yoked. It’s not the thing we’re being commanded to do, it’s the fact that we’re being commanded to do SOMETHING by SOMEONE other than OURSELVES. And, what is your response to that?
I have two typical responses to being told to do something. One is like a little girl who listens to her parents, knowing that they love her and want the best for her. She usually doesn’t fully understand why they’re telling her to do something, but she obeys when told regardless. Essentially, she trusts them. She knows they are wise and good and loving. They have trained her to obey. This has given her practice in listening to authority, trusting authority and obeying authority.
The other response I have is not so pretty. This response is like a little bratty and sassy girl who questions everything her parents tell her to do. She puts up a big ole fuss, digs in her heels and resists with a stick-straight back in defiance. This girl doesn’t trust her parents, thinks she knows better than they, questions and ignores any command given. She thinks, “surely my parents don’t know what’s best for me! Surely they aren’t being fair and loving when they tell me that I can’t play with my dolls! That’s my favorite thing to do. They’re wrong!” Yet, this little girl doesn’t see the big picture as her parents do. Her parents see the semi-truck barreling down upon their little girl as she insists on playing with her dollies in the middle of the road…
Which little girl are you? What is your response to ANY command that God gives you in His Word? Do you take it seriously? Do you think it’s merely a suggestion, rather than a command? Do you resist…or submit?
Our response depends on several things, such as what is our view of God, our view of the Word or even our view of ourselves?
Chew on this whole obedience thing for awhile. By week’s end, we’ll begin tackling what may be driving our particular response to God’s commands to us. In the meantime, pray that God would open your eyes to areas where you are resisting obedience to Him. Ask that His Holy Spirit would begin softening your heart to receive His commands like a trusting little girl.
Love, Wendy
Excellent post.Goes right to the point.