One of the YouTube channels I really enjoy following is called “Tiny Notes from Home”. The hosts, Bracken and Lindsey often talk about their six little boys and of the joys and challenges of parenthood.
In a recent episode, Bracken spoke of how he taught his children how to obey. He put a pair of blunt scissors in front of one of his younger sons and asked him not to touch it for five minutes. Although it is tempting for the children to go against the command to obey, very soon they learn that parents mean what they say and that their words are not to be taken lightly.
I found this particularly interesting. It seemed like the most constructive way to teach a child obedience is to explain to them that a parent’s command is always given for their good, and that implicit obedience is encouraged – even when they might not always understand the reason behind it.
This isn’t a foreign concept in our household either.
Obedience is always expected. Of course, when the children find themselves in unfamiliar territory, their reactions and tantrums always warrant grace and empathy. But in situations where they have been taught and in circumstances that they are familiar with, obedience is not on the list of things we compromise.
At times, the children might find the given command absolutely illogical.
Why must I pick up these toys? I will play with them later.
Why must I finish all the vegetables on my plate?
Why can’t I go out in the snow when my hair is still wet after a shower?
These are the easier questions – those that have a logical answer. Although some of the answers go right over their head, I am glad that I am able to provide an explanation as to why they cannot behave a certain way.
Other questions, however, are not so easy. In such cases, I expect them to trust that I know better and I teach them to obey – although they cannot possibly understand ‘why’ now.
As followers of Christ, I don’t think we ever grow out of the “phase” of learning to trust and obey. Every lesson in faith and submission has a common vein – trust and obedience. And just like little children learning discipline, oftentimes we do not see the logic behind some of the commands that the Lord has laid out for us. We may understand them in theory just fine but when push comes to shove, we tend to end up justifying our own course of action.
God calls us to a much higher standard than the world does. The world finds it perfectly acceptable to put yourself before others. In fact, it labels it as “confidence” and celebrates it as “self care”. We on the other hand serve a God who “gave up his divine privileges ; he took the humble position of a servant and was born as a human being” (Philippians 2:7). If we claim to be His disciples, what kind of life do we aspire to lead?
Do we try to get away by doing the bare minimum or do we desire to have our lives poured out as a living sacrifice? Do we celebrate the fact that we are the salt of the world – content to dissolve into nothingness so that the flavour of Christ can burst forth?
What take precedence in my heart? Is my daily prayer for Christ to be exalted through me or do I draw a line where I will not compromise beyond that point?
Needless to say, we will all face situations in life where we find ourselves getting the short end of the stick. We will be faced with situations where we know we are right and yet others find a way to work around it. Do we then choose to firmly assert the fact that we are right, uncaring of how people take it, or do we gently bring it up but firmly put our trust in God?
Everyday we are faced with choices to make – choices where we either glorify ourselves and force God to take the back seat or choices that cause us to die to our desires and let God take the wheel.
Our response to the unjust things that happen to us is heavily dictated by this one question – would I rather be right and give up this opportunity to exhibit Christ, or would I rather go through the pain of self-denial and see Christ work in this situation?
Does that mean you ought to be like an unthinking and unfeeling puppet that’s just going through the motions? Certainly not! I am only suggesting that we choose to obey in faith even when we do not feel like it. This is almost always more difficult than lashing out to prove our point and enjoying that temporary reprieve that comes with it. By going against that fleshly instinct, and submitting to God’s justice, we honour the fact that “God called you to do good, even if it means suffering, just as Christ suffered for you. He is your example, and you must follow in his steps” (1 Peter 2:21)
What a testimony we read about Christ in the next few verses! “He never sinned, nor ever deceived anyone. He did not retaliate when he was insulted, nor threaten revenge when he suffered. He left his case in the hands of God, who always judges fairly” (1 Peter 2:22-23).
How do we compare to this? I personally think of anger like a volcano. When the pressure builds, we all look for some release. For some, it might be holding a grudge, for those a little bolder, it might be using a few choice words to put the other in their place. For yet others, it might be getting revenge in very painful ways. Whatever be the case, each person looks for a release that is propotional to the pressure that has built up inside them. Once we explode, we leave a long trail of pain and destruction that cannot be easily mended.
This cannot be our lifestyle, dear friend.
We must yearn for the ruling of the Holy Spirit in our lives. It is in such a heart that His power is most manifested. Let us remember that we have a “High Priest who understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin” (Hebrews 4:15).
So, dear friend, choose to be wronged if it means Christ can be glorified in that situation. You may not understand why you must choose to submit. It might be painfully tempting to do what you desire. But when you cry out for grace and opt to die to yourself, what a harvest of righteousness it produces – some thirty, sixty, and even a hundred times as much as had been planted! (Matthew 13:8)
1 comment
Wonderfully narrated… Step by step proceeding to reach the point… Well said Eva!
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