Listen & Obey

One of the essentials while growing up is that you’re taught to listen and obey. No matter which road you have traveled, you were instructed on the importance of this topic. If it wasn’t from those who raised you, than I’m sure it came from more than one teacher in a classroom.

It’s one of those golden rules that builds our foundational character. For what we listen to and obey will shape us into who we are. I have humorous childhood memories of when I did not follow the “listen and obey” guidelines given to me. Looking back, those consequences seem less significant than decisions that go bad from the lack of using this advice when older. Truth be told, all of our consequences can have a major impact in our lives, no matter what age.

What we listen to and obey will shape us into who we are.

Who do you listen to and obey now a days? Perhaps it’s still a parent or educator. Maybe it involves a spouse or friend. It sure comes in handy maintaining a job and pleasing your employer.

There are so many voices being spoken these days. With the technology we have right in front of us, our choices of who we choose to be attentive to has grown at an alarming rate. We make split second decisions of trust with expectations of value that can change the course of our daily outcomes.

Only when we trust and value will we obey.

How about God?

Where do you sit right now in listening and obeying what God desires for you to do? From the beginning of time, our Heavenly Father has been instructing us in how to live this life successfully. His Word clearly gives us guidelines to follow.

“If you fully obey the Lord Your God and carefully keep all His commands that I am giving you today, the Lord Your God will set you high above all the nations of the world. You will experience all these blessings if you obey the Lord Your God:”
‭‭Deuteronomy‬ ‭28:1-2

‬“Anyone who listens to My teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock.”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭7:24‬ ‭

Hearing God has substantial value.

He provides more than one path for us to hear Him. He speaks to us directly through the Holy Spirit, through His Word, and He uses other people to speak into our lives. Putting into action the important messages we hear from God gives us victorious and fulfilling experiences. It’s how He designed for us to live – victorious…with purpose…with joy…more than conquering.

I can remember an ole’ friend of mine who had a very troubled heart regarding one of his adult children. The Holy Spirit spoke to me in that moment, telling me to go pray for him and do the following. As I wiped his shoulders with my hands, removing the invincible mound of worry, I heard God giving me these words to speak. “Your shoulders are not big enough to carry this weighted burden, but God’s shoulders are. This issue is to no longer bring you worry. Lord, we hand it over to You right now.”

My friend often reminds me of that incident. He says it was a life changing moment. How did that happen? Am I some super human being with powers to accomplish such a result? Super I am not, but an ordinary human being who is just like you, I am.

Man, how many times have I failed in the category of obedience? I’m sure I’ve got a lot of company in my corner because most of you can agree that you are there with me.

Then again, there are those times when doing the simplest task of hearing and following through that can bring about some remarkable responses. I did what any of you can do and many have done. It’s something we all have been created to do. God has taught us and His Son has demonstrated.

Maybe the next question then should be…when was the last time it occurred with you? When was the last time you listened to what God was telling you and you followed through in what He was instructing you to do?

You never know the effect it can make in someone’s life. I never expected to have placed an unforgettable memory in my friend’s life as well as my own. Isn’t that the beauty of what God is seeking to do for all of us… in all of us…through all of us? An order of focus that seems to help the effectiveness flow is… God, others, and me vs me, others, and God.

Some of us will freeze and pause too long by over analyzing what we are hearing. You know, you ask yourself…is this really from God? Holy Spirit, are you talking to me? We might even miss a gushing opportunity because of our delay. I’ve heard it said before to follow this easy guideline when in such a situation. If it’s something that will bring about a positive outcome then it’s from God. The devil would never direct you to do such a thing.

If you have accepted Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior, then God has placed His Holy Spirit inside you. You have a personal relationship with God that enables you to interact with Him like never before.

‭“My sheep listen to My voice; I know them, and they follow Me.” ‭John‬ ‭10:27‬ ‭

He speaks to you often. Are you listening? Maybe it’s not that you’re not hearing, but are willing to obey what He is telling you? That really is more of the challenge. It will take more courage perhaps than you are accustom to. But God would not direct you if He did not enable you with the ability to complete the task. There will be those times when His loving instructions are so obvious, that nothing will stand in the way of us wanting to obey, no matter what the cost.

Lord I want to respond to You like that more and more. No obstacle in my way…not my selfishness…not my worry…not over analyzing…no matter the cost.

How about you? Will you join me in making your ears more attentive to His voice? To desire to hear Him greater than the alternatives…to know that I know that I know I am hearing and doing what my God is telling me…and that I will complete the assignment with no hesitation and with a grateful heart?

I’m here God….what were You just saying?

Photos by Create228studio