A Heart Of Obedience

A Heart of Obedience

Because of [God’s] glory and excellence, he has given us great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable you to share his divine nature and escape the world’s corruption caused by human desires.

2 Peter 1:4

I remember standing before my mother with tears welling up in my eyes. “Don’t you trust me?” I asked. I wanted to take the car to the football game. She was afraid I was going to stay out too late and drive friends around. At my question, my mom handed over the keys. She told me she did trust me, but she wanted me to obey. Even as I took the keys, plans for disobedience filled my mind.

Amish church members are taught to humbly obey those with authority over them. Children obey parents, students obey teachers, wives their husbands, and members their leaders. Even younger ministers learn to humbly obey their bishops. This obedience is based on trust. Both the ones giving the rules and the ones accepting them must trust one another. When I didn’t obey my mother, it was because I placed more value on having fun with friends than on my mom’s desire for me to stay safe. It seems as if I often do the same with God. I disobey Him because I believe what I want for myself will be a greater benefit for me than what He wants. I’m usually looking at temporary satisfaction while God has a bigger picture in mind.

A truly obedient heart comes from trusting in the promises—whether spoken or unspoken—of another person. Children trust that their parents have their good in mind. Students trust their teacher’s directives. A wife trusts that her husband is guiding her in a loving and godly manner. Amish ministers understand that their bishops must stand before God.

Do you struggle with obedience? Do you obey with your actions but not with your heart? Take your struggles before God. One of His good and precious promises is that He’ll be there for you, loving you, guiding you, and sharing His divine nature along the way.

Dear heavenly Father, obedience is hard for me. Most of the time I feel as if I know best. May Your good and precious promises transform my heart so that my obedience to You is a joy rather than a chore!