Courage and Obedience
There is honestly so much I could talk about from my experiences over the past few months; so many ideas, thoughts, and lessons learned that I can’t wait to share with you. But currently, these two topics, courage and obedience, are by far the most important.
“David also said to Solomon his son, ‘be strong and courageous, and do the work. Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the LORD God, my God is with you. He will not fail you or forsake you until all the work for the service of the temple of the LORD is finished.’” 1 Chronicles 28:20
“Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.” 1 Corinthians 15:58
I want you to notice in both of these verses the word “work”. Be courageous and do the WORK, always give yourselves fully to the WORK of the Lord.
Now, courage is ultimately defined as a choice or willingness to confront agony, pain, danger, uncertainty, or intimidation- sounds unapproachable and seriously not fun; such a negative connotation for a word that means so much.
Alright, now hold that thought…
Obedience.
Gross. Who really likes the sound of that word? Many of us, including myself, have this negative perspective of the word obedience. The word “obey” sounds so forceful and strict. We live in a time of rebellion. We don’t want to “obey” we want to be free! Ha… hold on to that thought.
I’ve never really been the obedient type. Sure, I looked the part growing up, “yes ma’am,” “yes sir,” “fine, I’ll do this, I’ll do that.” I was real big on eye rolls though. I got really good at lying to my parents in high school. I’d cry on command and they would crumble to my disobedience. There was always a rhyme or reason, a way to get out of my punishment. But it’s an entirely different ball game when it’s our Heavenly Father. You can’t get anything past Him. He knows all. Here’s the kicker though… my disobedience to Christ, that’s already been forgiven and forgotten. I’m going to say that again… EVERYTHING that I have done “wrong” in my past, my present, and even my future… is ALREADY FORGIVEN AND FORGOTTEN.
So what is this obedience really about?
Ooohhhh, let me tell you. It’s beautiful. We so negatively look upon obedience as chains. I know I have. I have STRUGGGGLLEEDDD (I can’t express that enough) with “cleaning myself up” as a Christian.
“Okay Sarah, you need to pray for strength right now and do what is right.”
“Sarah, get it together, you can’t keep falling into sin like this now that you’ve changed your life.”
Etc. etc. etc.
It’s all so negative. Many of us firmly believe that maybe Christ won’t love us, or Christ won’t use us if we can’t “get it together”. LIES.
Obedience isn’t the continuous pursuit to stop doing the wrong things in life… it’s the pursuit of Jesus.
If you continuously try and try and try to be a “good Christian,” you’re going to suck. There I said it. You are, and I have. But once you realize that obedience isn’t about the wrong, it’s just about Jesus… you’ll experience freedom and peace like you have never known. God has the most AWESOME plan for your life, and you’re going to love it! I promise. The more I chased Jesus recently, the less I worried about “doing wrong” and I became renewed. I started doing exactly what He’s been telling me to do for years and the idea of obedience has been a blessing, no longer a curse. I ‘ve experience peace and joy that I can’t put into words. And all the “bad things” I have done or struggle with…. They ‘ve suddenly become the size of a grain of sand. Those chains have no power over Christ in me.
Let’s go back to courage. It takes courage to be obedient. God didn’t create a plan for your life that is going to be a walk in the park. Although that sounds lovely, you should always want to grow. I know I do. Literally last week, my prayers consisted of “God please give me to the courage to step out of my comfort zone, I’m so nervous, I’m so unsure, I know this is what you want for me… but I just feel awkward and nervous.” This week… I’ve been laughing at my last week self because all the courage He has given me has been mind blowing and I don’t even know who that last week girl is, she’s silly. #girlbye
This sounds like a lot. I hope you’re pickin’ up what I’m puttin’ down. Ha.
Obedience has got to stop being a continuous bug in our ear telling us all the wrong things we are tempted to do, that’s not obedience, that’s the Devil. Obedience is living for Jesus, with Jesus, and not turning back. Accepting God’s plan for your life and running with it faster than a bat out of hell, because I’m telling you, from serious life experience, His plan… it’s incredible, fun, peaceful, joyful, happy, energetic, motivational… don’t make me keep going. Now all you have to do is pray for courage to do it. You don’t need courage to stop doing the wrong things… you need courage to put on the running shoes of life and sprint down the path God designed for you. It’s not about standing up against agony and pain and blah blah blah… it’s the courage to be the amazing human God has planned for you to be.
God told me to be this person for years. I heard His words loud and clear. I felt the Holy Spirit telling me EXACTLY what to do. But I didn’t. I lived in constant doubt, fear, shame, uncertainty, struggle, and straight up spiritual schizophrenia. I have tears rolling down my cheeks trying to express this to you… I don’t know what is holding you back… I can’t imagine how hard it is to “obey,” but I can tell you… I am absolutely, with no doubt in my mind, the HAPPIEST I have EVER been in my entire life. And it’s because I chose to be a servant and dedicate my life to God’s plan.
Ya’ll… it’s beautiful to be courageous and obedient.
I have decided to follow Jesus;
I have decided to follow Jesus;
I have decided to follow Jesus;
No turning back, no turning back.
The world behind me, the cross before me;
The world behind me, the cross before me;
The world behind me, the cross before me;
No turning back, no turning back.
Though none go with me, still I will follow;
Though none go with me, still I will follow;
Though none go with me, still I will follow;
No turning back, no turning back.
My cross I’ll carry, till I see Jesus;
My cross I’ll carry, till I see Jesus;
My cross I’ll carry, till I see Jesus;
No turning back, no turning back.
Will you decide now to follow Jesus?
Will you decide now to follow Jesus?
Will you decide now to follow Jesus?
No turning back, no turning back.
