I’ve never been one to read through directions. When I’m baking I usually read over the long list of ingredients, then start throwing them into the bowl. This had led to many culinary disasters. I take the directions more as a suggestion than as a command to be closely followed. I’ve found that I just don’t do this when I’m baking, but also when I’m reading through the Bible. I read through the passages that command me to trust God and hold my tongue, and I take the command more as a suggestion than as an actual command. God’s calling me to be obedient in an area of my life and I don’t listen. I’m like, “Thanks, God, that’s a nice idea, but just gonna keep throwing a little bit of love and faith and hope in my life and hope the rest works out. I’m not following the instructions. I’m not living how God has commanded me to live. As Kyle Idleman once said, “When God says go do we move?”. I’ve found that the biggest areas of sin in my life are where God is calling me to do something and I’m handling it like a suggestion and less like a command. I do this when I don’t choose to trust in God’s faithfulness, love others, not gossip, obey His will, give to others, and share the Gospel. God’s told me to go and I’m not moving. I’ve got all the “ingredients,” but I’m following the instructions. If I really want to be used by God, my life needs to be more than lip service. So my challenge for myself and you this week is to move when God says go.
John 14:15 (NIV)
15 “If you love me, you will obey what I command.”
John 14:15 (NIV)
15 “If you love me, you will obey what I command.”