Those who walk with God can identify moments where His voice clearly directed them and their obedience saved their lives, or provided a convenience. People who don’t know the Lord call it “a feeling” or “a voice” (“something told me”). I’ve had several instances like that. The most memorable, recent one was that the Lord asked me to go to work earlier than I was supposed to, but I was too tired, so I did not. He then asked me to take a blazer to work, which I did. He asked me to then pass through another building to pick up a keyboard and mouse before heading to my work location, but I decided to go after logging in and settling down.
On my way back, I was caught in a storm that caused a blackout in Toronto, and was left soaking wet for the rest of the day. The blazer was incredibly helpful. God had covered me even in my disobedience of His original instruction.
I completely disobeyed and delayed my obedience the second time, when my immediate action would have cushioned the effect of my prior disobedience. And I can guarantee you that the few minutes of extra sleep were not worth the risk of my wig flying off in the thunderstorm, nor the tears and frustration I experienced in the aftermath. You see, it’s important to understand that obedience is for us, and not for God. He wants what is best for us (Romans 8:28).
The decision to deny your flesh and take up His instruction, especially as youth, can be irritating, or seem unnecessary. It can isolate you from your community, make you misunderstood, and put you in difficult positions. It can, in turn, easily make you angry with God, or pick and choose which parts of His commands you would like to follow – you know, keep His love but ignore the celibacy, rebuke nightmares but expose your senses to things that do not honour God. It’s easier that way, and that’s understandable. It can also be chalked up to genuine ignorance: you are not aware that you are grieving the Holy Spirit, and that’s completely fair too.
However, it’s not enough. The reality is, there is no grey area. If it is not for God, it is against Him. After all, to be lukewarm is worse than to be cold (Revelations 3:16) and if you have to justify your thoughts, speech, or action, you’re likely in a grey area.
It is necessary to live your life with a heart that is willing to obey. A heart that wants to know God more to identify His voice more clearly, to understand and follow His instruction, a heart that desires to work towards a life that is an acceptable sacrifice. Despite its difficulty, the best part of it is that God knows all, and He understands. Jesus lived amongst us and identified with us, He walked and breathed the air we did, He quite literally experienced life and then died to create space for us where He eventually ascended to (Luke 24:51). He can see the bigger picture, and knows why your “yes” to His seemingly small instruction matters.
With the bigger picture in mind, and an open heart in hand, I’m incredibly thankful for a God I can trust and surrender to knowing that it is working for my good. And what a beautiful thing it is to testify that my choice of obedience aligns me with His will, protection, provision, and peace. I pray that as you attempt to live obediently, you cultivate a heart that not only hears God’s voice but responds to it with unwavering trust and immediate action, knowing that His ways are always for our good – and that you remember that your obedience now will always be an easier and worthier offering than your sacrifice (1 Samuel 15:22)
