My two-year old often teaches me about obedience.
Recently my copper-topped two (I call him Red) and his brother were enjoying their nightly bath. My boys soaked and poured and relaxed in their warm tub and were perfectly happy, thank you, to probably spend the rest of the night right there. But alas, it was close to bedtime (and Momma was weary). I gently asked Red to stand up and get out of the bath. In protest, he launched a hefty tantrum right there in the tub. Feet flailed, water flew, ducky rode rough waves and my little boy screamed, “NO! I want to obey! I want to obey!”
The similarities of his idea of obedience and my idea of obedience slapped me in the forehead. It took me a minute to recover. How often, I wonder, do I shout “I want to obey!” at God—and genuinely think I do—but ignore His call because it might mean the awkwardness of stepping out of the warm, stagnant water of what I’ve always done or where I’ve always served? Sometimes obedience means that we must follow a new command. We can’t always stay in the warm, comforting bathtub.
The thing about God’s call is that He rarely asks us to serve people or in places or in tasks that are easy or comfortable. We see the uncomfortable call in Scripture over and over. God called Abram to leave everything behind and travel to an unknown place. God called uncertain Moses to a high-profile, conflict-laden leadership position. God called Esther to leave her home for position as Queen, where she faced the possibility of death in order to fulfill God’s plan. God called Mary to bear His Son—untold blessing came in a package of scorn and isolation. God called Saul into Paul, who in obedience endured shipwrecks, imprisonment, hunger and beatings.
God used all these people to generate His great works; they received the blessing of serving the King of Kings and experiencing closeness with Omniscient Almighty, but they each had to be obedient to step out of their cozy bubble baths of normal life.
Obedience isn’t just about being used by God, though. If it were, it would be easy for me to simply tell God ‘I don’t really want that job, but thanks for asking.’ No. As I explained as simply as possible to a Red warmly bundled in his giraffe towel on my lap, obedience shows love.
John 14:21 says, “He who obeys my command, he is the one who loves Me.”
Obedience is love in action. Obedience is proof to God that our claims of love aren’t empty words. When my children joyfully obey, I sense their love and respect for me in ways their words can’t express. I imagine that God’s heart feels as full when I trust Him enough to step willingly into that to which He has called me.
Is God calling you out of the bathtub? Has He been asking you to do something that doesn’t come naturally? Is He laying a place or a person on your heart that brings discomfort?
Sister, let me encourage you to obey. Prayerfully consider the call. Demonstrate your love for your Lord by showing Him you want to follow His request. Step out of your warm bath, wrap yourself in prayer and courage from above, and then walk in faith towards obedience.
“Those who know my commands and obey them are the ones who love me, and my Father will love those who love me. I will love them and will show myself to them.” John 14:21
By: Evelyn Rennich, Smallish
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Karen says
Evelyn,
Having been raised in God’s Word, this is not a new concept, BUT it hit me this morning in a whole new way! WOW! I can’t really explain it, but this post made a light bulb come on for me!
THANKS!!!!!
Evelyn Rennich says
Karen, praise the Lord for new insight! May He bless you as you walk in obedience in whichever area He has called you to. Thanks for reading, friend. 🙂
Tuesday says
My husband sent me a precious ecard and as I scrolled down I was intrigued with the introduction of your post. This morning I was talking to The Lord about discipline. There are many things that The Lord has shown me for my life and my family. However discipline can only come through obedience! Thank you so much for this post! It really hit home and gave me a greater perspective on life and my calling! Thanks for you obedience!
Evelyn Rennich says
Tuesday, thanks for rounding this out for us… obedience takes discipline to train your mind and body to sometimes do things that they don’t want to. What a great perspective! Thanks and praise God for all He is doing in YOUR life, sister. 🙂
Jennifer says
Beautifully said! Wrapping ourselves in prayer is the most important thing we can do to find strength and obedience in all situations.
Evelyn Rennich says
Jennifer, you’re right! Especially when I think about the fact that our Jesus spent a night in prayer for strength and obedience right before heading to the cross… that’s an example we must follow. Thanks for chipping in. 🙂
Krista says
Hey, so needed this this morning! We are in the process of adopting two older boys from Africa (14 and 11 year old brothers). We have four daughters and I just read some more scary adoption stories online this morning. ;). This whole story for our family has been completely of God and trusting Him and obeying Him while we step out of our warm, cozy “bathtub” is humbling, scary, overwhelming, exciting and crazy enough, the best and only place I want to be. :). Following Him and letting my only fear be of the one true God who holds and created everything! Thank you for the encouragement today.
Evelyn Rennich says
Oh, Krista, what a journey! Bless you for giving those sweet boys a home. That does sound like a scary road to be walking, but you are walking it with grace and courage!
“The Lord is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; Of whom shall I be afraid?” Ps. 27:1
Beth Williams says
Krista,
Prayers for you and your family as you adopt 2 older boys. Prayers for adjustment for everyone. May God help you during this journey & give you hope, love & His wonderful Mercy!@
Charlotte Hammer says
Oh my goodness. Perfect timing. Getting ready to “launch” my blog…take it to my little corner of the world. And I have been terrified. But. God is telling me “Courage.” *sigh* So here goes nothing. Thanks.
Evelyn Rennich says
Charlotte–fun!! I’m with you, girl. I did that exact same thing just over a year ago. It’s terrifying to share your heart and thoughts with the world. But just remember, there may already be a thousand voices out there, but YOURS isn’t yet. YOURS might be the one someone needs to hear. It gets easier. 🙂 Thanks for chipping in, friend.
Jess says
This is perfectly timed for me as well. I have taken a step of obedience and made myself available to the women in my life through leading a bible study. God has made it apparent that there is so much He has planned for me, but He has told me to do this and study his word first. I have no doubt in my heart that this act of obedience will pour more blessings into my life. Thanks for the post!
Evelyn Rennich says
Jess, how wonderful that your obedience act at this stage gets to be sitting at our Lord’s feet and learning! Blessings to you, sweet girl. Thanks for reading. 🙂
Karen Looby says
Wow! Really needed to hear that this week. Thanks for the gentle confirmation and letting God speak through you.
Evelyn Rennich says
Thank you, Karen. Praying for courage and discernment for you right now.
Lisa Buffaloe says
Love this, Evelyn! Such a precious story that makes me want to obey. 🙂
Abundant blessings to you,
Lisa
Evelyn Rennich says
Thanks, Lisa. 🙂
Susan says
Obedience . . .I have been placed in a position I don’t want to be in. I can be that two year old saying, “No, God, please don’t ask this of me . .. I’m not strong enough, courageous enough, I don’t have enough time . .” but He has placed me here. And I will obey, because I love and trust Him. I keep praying that this divided, broken heart will step forward each day . . .one step at a time in obedience. Your post today gave me encouragement today!
Evelyn Rennich says
Oh, Susan I love your heart. Hang in there. Remember that He who brought you to this will bring you through. My prayer for you today: that He will give you “beauty for ashes, The oil of joy for mourning, The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; That they may be called trees of righteousness, The planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified” in you. Isaiah 61:3
Diane W. Bailey says
Wonderful insights, Evelyn. You are right on target!
Evelyn Rennich says
All wisdom is from above. Praise to the King for insight and encouragement. 🙂 Thanks for reading, Diane.
Vanessa says
Evelyn this is simply wonderful! I’m at a point where I’m taking a huge leap and jumping in with both feet out of the comfortable water and taking a risk to follow a dream He has given me. Yet at the same time we are sitting, waiting, praying for His guidance in other areas of our life – particularly in my husband’s career. Sometimes we’re called to sit in that tub a little longer, letting our fingers prune as He prepares us for what comes next. Sometimes we have to wait for Him to run and grab that towel for us 😉
Evelyn Rennich says
Vanessa, Oh girl I’m right there with you on the whole waiting-for-God’s-guidance-in-hubby’s-career thing. It’s hard! I love your thoughts of letting our fingers prune longer or just jumping out and running… and sometimes it’s backwards because sometimes sitting and letting yourself prune is harder than taking a step out. Blessings to you, friend!
Beth Williams says
Evelyn,
Such wise words of wisdom. Loved the idea of “getting out of the warm bathtub and stepping into obedience”. I believe God has been both blessing me and testing me for a while now. I have a decent job,, but it doesn’t satisfy me or bring any enjoyment. I usually just want to go in and get the day over with. Sticking with this job and praying that I remain obedient to His leading in my life.
Prayers for everyone here!
Evelyn Rennich says
Hi Beth,
A season of discontent is always one of the roughest to plow through. I’ve been there! Sometimes it takes courage just.to.keep.going day in and day out. Keep it up and thanks for chipping in. 🙂