The Joy Of Obedience


During this year, I remembered there was a season where a curfew was given to me, requiring me to be back home by 8pm. I believe everyone would agree here, that having a spirit of rebellion is never going to lead anyone to obey. Obviously, I didn't obey.

I felt the test of faith came when I was given ministry leave for 3 weeks (I was like on MC for 3 weeks and I wasn't required to go to church). Initially, I didn't understand why it was given to me. Back at home, every Saturday for those weeks, when the clock strikes 6, I would always question God why the leave was given to me when His desire was for me to go to church and grow closer with the Body of Christ. I wanted to be in church, and no one could stop me from being there, but in the end I chose to obey and stick to the leave that was given to me. I was quite frustrated once actually and I popped the question to God, “So God, do you want me out of this whole thing (No more going to church, leading the life the way I wanted to)?”

Now, when I look back, I'm actually quite thankful for this curfew period (imagine me saying this when I kept ranting to some of you in the past haha). I understood that God was working behind the scenes, and He was teaching me some of the most valuable lessons, like obedience, the grace of God, the importance of being real, and the most important of all, the Person of the Holy Spirit (I'll cover those in my next few posts, so stay tuned).

Touching on the topic of obedience, having experienced that curfew season, this was what God taught me about obedience in Him:

1) Obedience begins with taking that step of faith, believing that whatever God has commanded you to do is for a good cause. When God desires you to obey, it's not so much of Him asking you, “Do you understand the work of My hands?” Rather, it's more of Him asking, “Do you trust My heart?” 

2) Obedience requires humility on your part, being able to willingly say, “God, Your plans are better than mine. Even though I may not understand, because I know that You love me, I'll choose to obey.” 

3) Obedience brings you to uncertainty in the seen realm, sometimes thinking it's impossible that God could change the situation for the better, but in the unseen something exciting and good is taking place. Sometimes we have the tendency to forget that God delights in working the impossible in the most difficult of times.

My heart is brought to thankfulness because of the patience God has toward me. I'm thankful that God has placed different ones in the church that has encouraged and spur me on to rely on God and learn how to obey Him. Obedience ain't easy, but it isn't a bad word either. Obedience commands a blessing upon your life.

Thank God for all the lessons He taught me through all these days in the year of 2012, and, as much as this post will serve as a reminder for me to obey God in everything I do in the days ahead, it's my prayer that this post will bless you guys who are reading this too, and you'll be able to put these into application, finding the joy of obedience. Thankful that God has placed the Holy Spirit as my loving Teacher too (Don't stop teaching me Friend haha). God bless, and wherever you may be, have a happy new year! :)
Psalm 1:1-3 - Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither— whatever they do prospers.

Comments

  1. Hi Joy,

    Oh, the Lord has taught me so much this last year, and even though it's not always easy to submit to His ways, I am always thankful and end up in a much better place!

    Blessings for a New year of joyfulness and thankfulness to follow His direction and be obedient! :)
    Denise

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    1. Blessings and hugs for a New Year too Denise! Thankful that God always brings us from glory to glory! :)

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  2. Joy thank you for sharing and encouraging. Blessings and Happy New Year.

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  3. Hi Joy,
    For the last few days I have been doing some study on obedience, so it is awesome to come here to read what you wrote about obedience. Funny thing, I have been working on memorizing Psalm 1. I pray that you have a blessed 2013 as you walk in obedience to Him.

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    1. Hey Ken! Haha this is so cool! Blessed 2013 to you too and may the LORD's hands always be upon you! :D

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  4. I am so glad I found your blog. It is perfect for cancer patients.

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