Lessons Learned on the Journey

Laboring on a farm the summer after 7th grade was my first full-time summer job. My understanding of the employer/employee relationship was simple then - the boss told me what to do and I did it. Soon the other employees "enlightened" me, challenging my simple attitude. As long as they agreed with the boss they obeyed him. When they did not agree, they whined and complained and at times disobeyed.

In this "I - will - do - it - my - way" world, the word "obedience" can seem negative to some. Yet obedience is usually for our protection and/or for the good of the "boss". In a healthy relationship, obedience is evidence of trust and love.

On my journey as a follower of Jesus, I have come to see that obeying Jesus' teachings is often easy...when I agree with them. An obedient response is much harder when I do not understand or I disagree. Do I, at times, really believe it is for my own good? Our level of obedience comes from the quality of our relationship with God, motivated by our love for Him. The reality of our relationship is measured by our willingness to do what He asks of us.

Jesus, teaching His disciples during the Last Supper, had much to say about obedience. "Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me...If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching...He who does not love me will not obey my teaching...If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father's commands and remain in his love." (John 14:21, 23, 24 and 15:10 NIV)

The evidence of our loving relationship with God? Obedience. Let's work on it together this week.