To Obey or Not to Obey, That is the Question!

It has been way too long since Curly Top, or I have posted anything here, so I decided it’s time to do so. God is so good! We were able to attend a great family conference a few weeks ago. What a blessing, and a challenge, too!!!! There were many blessings in the messages we heard, meeting and making new friends, and spending some time with old friends as well. The challenges came from watching how the church that hosted the conference worked together to make it all a success, and in putting into practice the messages we heard.
One of the most important things that I was reminded of is that in order to live the way God wants me to, I have to make an effort. I cannot just sit back and watch Him do all the work. He will always be there and give me the strength that I need, but he did not make me a puppet; He made me a human being with the ability to make choices. That means that I have to CHOOSE to obey Him. It’s my responsibility. And, not only that, if I truly want to obey Him, that means that I WILLINGLY submit to Him in ALL areas of my life, not just in things that are easy, or in things that I want. That is, perhaps, the biggest problem with many people today. We want God’s blessings. We want God to use us. BUT at the same time there are areas in our lives that we don’t want to give to Him. No, let’s say it correctly: there are areas in which we don’t want to obey. Simple. God says do this or that. My choice is to do it, or not. If I do it, I obey; I am submitting to Him. If I don’t do it, if I partially do it, or if I do it later, I am disobeying; I am not submitting to Him.
Hmmmm! Putting that into practice means that when God says to forgive like He has forgiven us (Ephesians 4:32), then I have to forgive the person who hurt me so badly – even if I don’t want to forgive. I want to get even. She hurt me, so I want to hurt her back at least as bad as she hurt me. Or, she didn’t speak to me, so why should I speak to her! Or, my mom or dad is so unfair! I’ll never forget what they did to me – why should I have to wash the dishes, clean the house, etc. when my brothers or sisters don’t have to do so! Here is the choice. God said to forgive. Period. No conditions. So, do I obey or not. Pretty simple, huh. Simple to say but not always simple to do. That is where God comes in to give us the strength to do what He tells us to. I don’t have to rely on my own strength to obey; I just have to make the choice to do so (Philippians 4:13; 1 John 5:3).
May God give each of us the strength to obey as we CHOOSE to submit to Him and obey Him. God Bless You!!!