Difficult Obedience

My children love scavenger hunts. They excitedly read each hint and go in search of the next clue based on the instructions they have just received. It is interesting to watch them puzzle over the last tip they have discovered and then go searching for the next tidbit of information.

Understanding the meaning of the clue is essential, but following the instructions is critical. Many times if they are having trouble, it will be because they have not thoroughly read the instructions or are not following the instructions.

I would love to say that failure to follow instruction is a problem limited to children. I cannot. Failure to follow directions has been a problem as long as humans have been on the earth. Adam and Eve had difficulty following instructions and look at the mess that resulted and perpetuated ever since.

Moses is known as a great leader of his people, beginning in the book of Exodus. Yet, even he struggled with obedience. Moses was tending sheep when a bush burst into flame. Then a voice tells him to remove his shoes. God’s voice continues to give him instructions as to what he is to do. Yet he finds the strength to object to directions from God.

Moses used excuses to avoid obedience. He said things like; I am not influential enough. They will not believe that I have the authority I claim. I am not eloquent. What if they will not listen to me?

God acknowledged Moses’ objections but still said, “Go.” Moses tried one last time to avoid obeying by saying, Thanks, but You need someone else. (see Exodus 3 – 4) I shake my head in disbelief at Moses’ actions. Then I stop and hang my head because I realize I have also voiced objections to instructions from God.

During 2012 God began to speak to me about starting a Spanish language church service for the Latin Americans in a nearby city. My side of the conversation sounded something like this.

“That is a great idea, God, but You have the wrong person. I don’t speak Spanish. I am unfamiliar with Latin American culture, and I don’t know where to find enough people to start a service. Good thought. Thanks for thinking of me, but you have the wrong person.”

Similar to the way God spoke to Moses, the answer I received was, “I know all that, and I still am choosing you.”

I am no Moses, but it is interesting that with all the years between when he lived and the present day that the excuses are still basically the same. Humans tend to want to stay where they are comfortable and in control. I knew that to obey meant learning a new language, going into unknown territory, learning new cultural customs, and quite possibly some unfamiliar food. I was to lead a group, and I didn’t even know where I was going.

I found that if I just held God’s hand, He would guide me a step at a time. God provided people to help me who were fluent in Spanish and were familiar with the culture and customs. Being obedient to God, I served as pastor to that group for a little over two years. I met people in the community from many countries throughout Central and South America. They were people who were mostly invisible to most residents of the city. They ranged from cleaners to medical professionals, but they all had a desire to hear a church service in their native language. I would have never met them if I had not obeyed.

I wish I could say that I have always obeyed without question since then, but I cannot. I am still human, and I tend to question what I do not understand. I tend to become anxious when I cannot see the entire path from where I am to where it reaches the goal. I worry about the results; will they be good enough? Perhaps what God is trying to teach me is to trust Him. God wants me to believe Him so much that I obey, confident that He has a plan. He is in charge of the results.

Obedience usually is not a sudden jump into the unknown. When Moses received instruction to lead the people out of bondage, he already knew the people. He had grown up in the palace, so he knew the proper protocol. Yet, to him, his compliance still seemed risky because the Pharaoh might execute him.

Obedience would not be as hard if there were no unknowns. It is the unknown that makes us hesitate and question.

The first mission trip I ever went on was an exercise in faith and obedience. I had not traveled by air for many years and was very worried about all the new security at the airports. I had never been to a country where I did not understand the language, and I had not been through customs before. (Yes, I am still working on fully obeying 1 Peter 5:7 “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” NIV)

Going on the trip was an act of obedience and a step of faith. God supplied the funds by providing me with more work than usual and made my flights and trip through customs uneventful.

The team ended up being myself and one other person working with the onsite missionary. We helped a church pour concrete beams in preparation to expand their building and helped to build beds for a training center. My obedience left my heart open for the refreshing from God that I received while on this trip.

Many times God asks for our obedience to help us be in the position to receive bountiful gifts from Him. These gifts come in many forms like comfort, wisdom, supplied needs, renewal of our spirit, and more. Perhaps the greatest blessing that we reap from obeying God’s instruction is the ability to live in His Shadow. (Psalm 91:1)