Obey is a word many of us don’t like. We may feel the call to obey takes away our freedom to do what we want to do. It restricts and takes the fun out of life.
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Yet, we are called on to obey in the interests of our own wellbeing and the sake of the bigger picture. When you think about it, ‘obedience’ covers so many areas of our lives.
It is illegal to use a device while driving, and we swim ‘between the flags’ for our own safety.
To disobey can cause conflict, destroy others’ trust and confidence in us, strain relationships and bring tension into the home. It can fracture a team or community and ultimately lead to chaos.
To obey on the other hand creates peace and builds trust and confidence. It is the foundation for healthy relationships, happy homes and for harmonious, strong and well-connected communities.
I recently came across this quote by Jack Hyles: “You express love by obedience.”
Jesus once said: ‘the people who are really blessed are the ones who hear and obey God’s message’. (Luke 11:28).
He gave us one command that we are to obey and all other commands flow from it. That command is love.
Jesus modelled perfect love for the whole world by obeying the command of his Father, fulfilling his God-sent mission of dying on the cross.
When we obey, we make love a living reality in our lives and in our community.
One thing I love about rural communities is the healthy connection people have with their neighbours, enough to make sacrifices for them when they are in need. Like being there for someone who is doing it tough – by visiting or an invite out for a coffee together or helping a neighbour with the shearing, haymaking or harvest.
Your obeying the law of love will make a difference for others.
This is the one ‘obey’ you can really enjoy. It will give you joy in return and make you a better person. God bless.
Pastor Gus Schutz, Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, For the Horsham Christian Ministers Association
