Issue 1247 – Who me? Obey? – September 12, 2023
This morning, I was thinking about one of our old dogs, Genni the Wonder Dog. She was a border collie/basset cross and my constant companion from the time she was 8 weeks until her passing around age 12.
She was a reasonably obedient dog and not badly behaved. Still, like many border collies, she had her own ideas of what constituted obedience.
I remember one time when she was in the backyard, keeping the world safe from the neighbour’s cat. Not wanting to disturb the neighbours, I called her to the back door.
She turned immediately and ran halfway back to the door. Then she turned and ran back to bark at the cat.
I called her again, a little more firmly, and she came part way back once again. Then she stopped for a pee and then ran back barking.
I called her a little more sternly. Genni responded by tucking her tail between her legs, returning halfway and getting an idea. She ran and grabbed her frisbee, dropping it in front of me. Perhaps she won’t have to go inside if she can engage me in a game.
She drops the frisbee a couple of feet before me, wags her tail and says to me using a bark, and the dog play bow, “Let’s play, boss.”
Evidently, she thinks if she distracts me enough, she can get her way. I called her again, a little less patiently. In response, she drops the frisbee, walks in the door, and waits in the kitchen for her reward cookie.
She knew she wasn’t to bother the cat or bark. She knew she would have to obey eventually but wanted to make it in her timing and terms. I know she will ultimately obey, so I keep after her and finally get my way.
I wonder how often I have behaved that way towards God. Heard his call and started to return, only to go back to something I wanted to be doing. Or hear his call and do something else to placate or distract God. Finally obeying, I boldly look for my reward.
We know that believers are called to obedience, but we often rebel and fight against it. We know it would be easier simply to obey the first time in the long run, but we refuse and stall. Our pride just wants to do things our own way and in our own time.
It is a blessing that we serve a God who is patient and merciful. Without His grace and mercy, we would all be lost.
The theme of obedience runs from Genesis to Revelation. I think this verse summarizes it well.
[Jesus said,] “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.” John 14:15
So tell me, are you walking the path of obedience, or are you like Genni and testing the Master’s patience?
Until next time, meditate on His truth, love and mercy and may it bring you a place of willing, living submission and obedience.
Be blessed
Hallelu Yah / Praise God
Kevin
Gleanings From The Word
Experience an extraordinary God in ordinary life.
Soli Deo Gloria (For the glory of God alone)
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