Last week I took a few days off to spend with my wife & girls, and with my parents at their lake house. Great place to relax and unwind. In fact the ride down there, through the farm & dairy country, is as pleasant as the destination!
I rode my motorcycle down, praying and worshipping God, as I often do while riding. About halfway there, I just asked God, "Father, what would you speak to my heart about? What would you teach me out here?" What ensued was a heart conversation with God that was both simple and profound.
What He brought to my mind was obedience. I prayed, "Why do we often not like the concept of obeying You? We want to focus on Your love, Your grace, enjoying Your blessings in our lives...Yet our rebellious nature wants to resist obedience sometimes. I know you're not some cosmic dictator, demanding our fearful allegience. Why obedience?"
Then He spoke into my heart- "Why do you want your children to obey you?"
I thought, then replied, "Because I love them, and want what's best for them."
"Go on," He whispered.
"Well, I also want to keep them from harm, from danger."
He pressed me further. "What else?"
"I want them to grow into responsible, mature, caring adults," I said.
"Anything else?" God spoke.
"Yes, actually. I want us to live and love in harmony under our roof. To really be a close, loving family," I said.
God then spoke to my heart, "If you desire all these things for your girls, how much more do you think I desire these for all My children? Those are also My motivations for your obedience."
I reflected on that the rest of the week- not only on this simple yet amazing conversation with the Father, but on the real meaning and purpose of obedience. It boils down to love- God's motivation in all His dealings with us. And I love Him all the more for it.
"You must live as obedient children. Don't slip back into your old ways of living to satisfy your own desires. You didn't know any better then. But now you must be holy in everything you do, just as God chose you to be holy. For the Scriptures say, 'You must be holy, because I am holy.'" 1 Peter 1:14-16
Rob