Somehow, it seems like “obedience” has become sort of a buzzword among Christian communities lately.
“I’m stepping out in obedience by doing this.”
Yes, friend, go you. Step. Out.
We grow in our faith through the discomfort of obedience.
Think about a child learning to obey their parent; the child is clearly resistant, hesitant, and uncomfortable with obeying until they understand that their parent knows best. They don’t understand what their parent understands, but they understand that their parent knows best.
Think about us–children of God–learning obedience. To be short and not very sweet–it sucks. It uncomfortable. Its painful sometimes.
But at the same time, it’s good. It grows us.
When we say “yes” to the small things, the bigger yeses become easier.
But lets talk about disobedience.
I remember an activity I participated in during high school that helps me visual obedience a lot better. The activity revolved around this line on the floor, and a facilitator would read a prompt that said “cross the line if…” and after each prompt, a few people would cross the line, look around, and then return to the side they started on. On and on it went.
In our spiritual journeys, there are many lines we cross–small ones and big ones, every single day.
We walk up to a small line with Jesus, maybe paying for someones coffee or saying hello to a stranger… cross the line if you trust Jesus. And we do.
But then we walk up to bigger lines with Jesus, giving more at church or volunteering for a mission trip… cross the line if you trust Jesus. And we still do.
But then we walk up to the biggest lines–the ones where we feel the Lord saying to go here, do this, take the risk, trust me. So, cross the line if you trust Jesus.
And we don’t.
We shy away. We say no, not possibly me. I’m not the one for that. And in this, we grow in our disobedience. We create patterns and habits of refusing what God has for us. We separate ourselves from God.
WOAH.
So knowing this and thinking about this, I’m learning. I’m growing. I’m trying hard to notice the small lines and use those to give me faith at the big lines.
This experience–going to Ethiopia for 3 months–is a big line right now. But in 5 years, I’ll look back and smile at how small it seems. And, for that, I’m stoked.
The past few weeks have been B U S Y and challenging, but so so sweet! I’m more than 50% fundraised (praise Jesus hallelujah !!!) but I’ve still got a long way to go.
Right now, I could really use prayer and partnership in increasing my faith and trust that God is working out His plan through this summer (and far beyond). Prayers for strength and rest and perseverance.
I’m so excited for these next 2 months of preparation and praising the Lord for all the good things He’s got for me and my team!
