Obedience is the very best way to show that you believe

John 15:14 “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.”

The past couple of weeks have been a holiday break here in South Africa. This means that all fourteen children are here all day. I am sure that other parents can sympathize with me in dealing with keeping them entertained, from fighting with one another, and staying on task with the jobs they still have to do at home. There is no structure, and it shows in their attitudes. Lately, like most children go through, some of our kids are going through a defiant stage. They want to do what they want to do and if they do not get it, well then, they are just going to sit there and do nothing. I can admit to behaving like that a time or two. I do not blame them for acting out in their change of schedule and structure, but what I am learning is that is not an excuse to disobey. It is in this time that they can best learn lessons of obedience, and not “when I want to do it” obedience, but “yes I will do it right now” obedience. And of course, God is teaching me my own lessons in obedience.

When God asks me to do something, He means right now. The fact is, that after He asks me to do something, He begins His work whether I am obedient or not. If at first I am not obedient, then painful and refining measures must be taken to catch up. God is determined to have His child as pure and clean and white as snow, and as long as there is disobedience in any point of His teaching, He will prevent none of the working of His Spirit. Our insistence in proving that we are right is nearly always an indication that there is disobedience. God’s laws are unalterable; there is no escape from them. The teaching of Jesus goes straight to the way we are made up.

I am thankful for His patience in me. The same patience I run out of with the children at times. Just as I was initially disobedient in agreeing to move to Africa for a year, I still find myself refusing to trust God and obey Him at times, even though, time and again, it proves to be for my betterment. Lord, great is Thy faithfulness unto me.