Obedience Redefined

So I am thinking more about this whole obedience thing. . . and I'm guessing that you might be confused as to how and why obedience would bring such freedom and joy. In our world it has negative associations, doesn't it? Kids want to rebel from authority, adults want to rebel from structure or expectation or conformity. . . to some level, I think we are all rebelling. We all see obedience as slightly distasteful in many of the circumstances we face.

But I think we completely miss the point when we lump obedience to Christ together with following the standards of this world. When we are suffocated by unrealistic expectations, or when we place those expectations on ourselves - it is draining and ultimately never satisfying. That's because the world's rules aren't made for our good. It isn't good for us to be so consumed with ourselves that we hurt the people around us.

God's rules are different because they were made for our good. God created each and every one of us and He knows how we are meant to function. He knows what is best! Following His design for life on this earth is simply like using a machine for the purpose for which it was created. On the contrary, trying to live life according to the standards of this world is like using a blender to wash your car.

It reminds me of Dancing with the Stars. Do you ever watch that show? It is hilarious. Why? Because you have the opportunity to watch people who were clearly made to dance alongside people who were obviously made to avoid dancing at all costs. It is actually painful to watch some people trying to dance. . . and I'm sure it is all the more painful for the individuals attempting it.

We were all created differently. We will have different gifts and abilities. . . And that is part of God's design for this world! It is through our differences that we exhibit the amazing creativity and nature of our God! But there are also ways that we were meant to function the same.

We were all meant to love and be loved. We were all meant to walk through this life side by side with our Creator. When sin entered the picture it destroyed our perception of God and His purpose for our lives.

Now rules seem bad. Obedience seems like something for the weak, or the goody-too-shoos. But the reality is that when we walk with Christ in obedience, we start functioning the way we were always meant to function. . . and all of a sudden we feel this insane amount of freedom and joy and life in this obedience!!

If you are one who struggles with finding a desire to obey God's standards or live in His ways, take some time to seriously reflect on why God made those standards in the first place.

I would much rather entrust my life to the God who made me and knows exactly how I'm supposed to function than to this world that wants me to strive for something I'll never be able to achieve anyway.

Freedom in Christ through obedience to Christ. Now that, my friends, is where real life begins.