Immediate Obedience
Pastor Mike said this sentence this weekend and I was so convicted.
“God will always do more with our obedience than we think we can do with our compromise.”
It is simply put but profound. It is so easy to think that I am getting something done my way, without really considering that it is in fact, compromise. I don’t know how many times I’ve talked myself in to postponing my quiet time to get other things done, and then suffered for it. I compromised my time and didn’t come out winning in the end. If I had just been obedient, He would have used that.
When Pastor Mike said this I thought of the quote, “Delayed obedience is disobedience.” There is no way getting around the fact that God requires our obedience. Anything less is not satisfactory to Him. Too often we think of God as a doting Grandfather who lovingly winks at our laziness and shrugs at our sin. The book of 1 John shows us that God is not like that. (1 John 2:3-5)
After hearing this sermon my heart was heavy because I kept thinking of areas where I compromise. What was discouraging is that they seem so subtle. In each situation I knew that everything wasn’t right but my conclusion was simply that I needed to work on it, I’m not perfect. I hadn’t really seen it as compromise, disobedience. I’m glad that the Holy Spirit works to convict us and also enables us to grow. This morning I was so encouraged to read the words of David in Psalm 119:59-60
I have considered my ways and have turned my steps to your statutes, O Lord. I will hasten and not delay to obey your commands.
This is an awesome prayer and also the encouragement I needed to get working at immediate obedience.
This week things slowed down a little for me. Friday was our 5 year anniversary and it was nice to go out for a long dinner together. All this week, Bobby is down in Mexico with a group of our high school students. They are staying at an orphanage down there and working to proclaim the gospel with the children and families in the area. Poor Tyler misses Bobby so badly. He keeps looking around the house calling his name and even standing at the window saying, “Hi, Da Da!” and then he says, “Da Da all gone?” We will both be glad to have him home Saturday!
Sunday afternoon I drove up the coast to visit my parents, brother and sisters. I hadn’t gone up in awhile so it was good to see them and I think they liked chasing Tyler around. For the 4th of July my sister and her family came down and we joined our church for a BBQ lunch, went swimming in the afternoon and saw fireworks together. To see pictures from our summer so far, click here!
July 6th, 2007
Christa,
Your words really hit home with me today. Like you, my obedience is often delayed in order to get things done, or sometimes for me, until I “feel like it” or after I just check my email real quick, or whatever. To see my delay as compromise and disobedience is convicting to me. Just this morning I was confessing that I felt much like the man James describes as drifting to and fro…and your post helped me see my disobedience in a clear light. Thank you for your honest albeit hard words.
May God richly bless the seeds planted in Mexico–and may He reap a great soul harvest for His kingdom and His glory! And may the days pass quickly for you and Tyler…
Blessings, Lisa
July 6th, 2007
Congratulations on your anniversary! Marriage is grand, isn’t it?
July 7th, 2007
Good Thoughts.
July 7th, 2007
This is Just what I needed right now! Aww I can imagine Tyler doing that..I would type a longer comment, but I have to go read my Bible!
July 7th, 2007
This is Just what I needed right now! Aww I can imagine Tyler doing that..This was really convicting to me, because I tend to do that to. Thanks for the encouragement!
July 9th, 2007
Hi Christa,
I’ve tagged you for a five questions meme–just for fun, certainly no pressure to play along! You can check it out at my site…
Lisa
July 15th, 2007
Christa,
Once again, your writings really convicted me. I have thought about what you wrote numberous times this past week in regards to my walk with the Lord and in teaching Ivy obedience. Thank you for spurring me on, sista!
Sarah
July 16th, 2007
This is such a common problem, especially around many of us “seasoned” Christians who are doing quiet time and other disciplines every day. I know I often check the box, but I recognize my heart is not obedient or humbled much of the time. I have a tendency to go run and check e-mail or read a section of the paper right when I put Carter down for his first nap. I say that I need “Me time” before I delve into my Bible study. How deceptive is Satan! I need to be filled by our Heavenly Father first and foremost. He will provide me energy and a much needed refresher each day. I struggle with this, and I often find myself adding a request for forgiveness for procrastinating on Bible study and not putting my time with God in the #1 place it should hold. I’ve been learning it isn’t enough to check the box–always check your heart and your attitude toward God when you are being “obedient!”
July 26th, 2007
You haven’t posted in a really long time, Christa! I hope everything is going well for you.