21 Days To Clarity, Day 15: Obey

For Day 14, Click here


“God doesn’t have time to waste, so He seeks the faithful. Not the perfect, the faithful.”
~Jen Hatmaker


When I need the DVD and video cabinet organized, I call Rebekah, my 10-year-old. She tackles that job systematically and thoroughly. She takes her time, matching each and every stray DVD to its rightful case. Then she painstakingly arranges them into categories. When she completes the task, she drags me over by my wrist and proudly presents her hard work to me. And because I too have the gift of organization, I wipe tears from my eyes as we ooooo and ahhhh together over the perfectly organized cabinet.

When I need socks sorted, I call Elijah, my 8-year-old. Elijah has an enthusiasm for sock-matching that I simply cannot explain. No arm-twisting. No threatening. No bribery. This boy ASKS for socks to sort. I used to use it as a punishment, until I realized how much fun he was having. Now, it’s almost morphed into a treat. (Note to self: locate new punishment for Elijah)

There is nothing like children who will do what I ask them to do the first time I ask, do it with joy, and do it well. Their faithfulness in these little areas has earned them rewards. Cash mostly. But also my trust. While my love for them remains constant no matter how they perform, my willingness to entrust them with greater responsibility is directly related to how well they handle the little things.

It’s so much more fun for me as a mom to approach a child with a willing heart, a good attitude and a proven track record than it is to approach a cranky, whiney disobedient child. I dread the inevitable battle that ensues when I’m trying to coerce an unwilling child to do what needs to be done.

And let’s face it. It’s all about me having fun.

And this lesson has taken years to instill, but when the children attend to their duties promptly, they create room in their schedules for all the things they want to do.

And when Fun Mom meets Obedient Children with Open Schedule…watch out.

Infinitely more perfect than me, my Heavenly Father rewards His obedient and faithful children. Look in the Bible and study the lives of those who heard God’s voice clearly. Abraham, Moses, Joshua, Esther, David, Daniel, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Paul…all of them were far from perfect, yet all of them were radically obedient to God’s commands. They were faithful. God spoke to them, told them what to do and they did it. Sure, some of them asked for clarification. Some of them even initially doubted their ability to carry out the task. But once they fully understood God’s command, they promptly obeyed and sought God for the next command.

Then God spoke again, and they obeyed again. And again and again.

I have found the same is true with me. When I look back over the years of humbly seeking to hear and obey God’s voice, the most “audible” times for me are also the most obedient times—the most faithful times. The times where God nudges my heart in a certain direction, and I move. Promptly, joyfully. Then He nudges it again, and I move again. The times when I greet His commands with enthusiasm, a good attitude and a willing heart.

I don’t know what God is asking you to do today. Maybe it’s related to your prayer time. Maybe it has something to do with the way you treat your spouse, your children, your friends. Perhaps it’s saying “yes” or saying “no” to an opportunity. And maybe you’ve been whining, complaining and otherwise avoiding God’s nudge. Don’t condemn yourself. We’ve all been there.

Today’s tip is to simply obey. Do it promptly. Do it joyfully. Do it well.

Because when Good God meets Obedient Children with Open Hearts—watch out.

For Day 16, Click Here