What does that word, obedience, conjure up in your mind? Does it have a negative connotation? Or perhaps it doesn’t have any affect on you. When I was younger it was a word I associated with obeying elders, not always something I wanted to do, so therefore had a somewhat negative vibe. But as I mature, and I’m still doing a lot of growing up, I associate this word with a sense of peace. I’m finding through experiences of obedience that it isn’t easy to “obey” or be “obedient”, sometimes it’s downright difficult, but as I continue to practice obedience to God it gives me a calm which only He can provide.
Lately, ok let’s be honest it’s been more than “lately”, I’ve been wondering if what I’m doing in Kenya is “worth it”. I get the whole “I’m working for God” thing and I understand that (and I do not take it lightly or brush it off as something simple) but it doesn’t make the daily grind any less frustrating or missing my friends and family any less of a pain in my heart. I find I must continually remind myself of this fact and then I’m given a reminder outside of myself through my devotion.
“Perhaps you sense you’re in a spiritual rut. Stay at your assigned task! Obedience to God–and only obedience–offers the way out of our futility.” Philip Yancey
Which also came with my favorite verse – Micah 6:8
With what shall I come before the Lord
and bow down before the exalted God?
Shall I come before him with burnt offerings,
with calves a year old?
Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams,
with ten thousand rivers of olive oil?
Shall I offer my firstborn for my transgression,
the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?
He has shown you, O mortal, what is good.
And what does the Lord require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
and to walk humbly with your God.
So what do I do? Continue on with my assigned task no matter if I don’t feel like it or wish for a different task. I know God is working here in Kenya which also makes me see satan working diligently to cancel out the good which is happening. I’m thankful for that one person who comes to know Jesus Christ and comes to obedience to the life He wants us to lead. Your prayers are appreciated for this ministry and yes for me too 🙂 Thank you beloved friends and family, I love you!