Obedience as
the key to the nature of my Master is not a new theme with Chambers. But in using Genesis 22, he makes his point
with a sledge hammer. In verses 15-19,
the account wraps up with the second statement from the Angel of Yahweh. The nations of the world will be blessed
through Abraham’s innumerable seed because of Abraham’s obedience that had no
limits. There is a prerequisite for
obedience though. I have to hear my
Master’s voice.
I suppose
there are a lot of reasons I may not.
One of the ones I think I overlook most often is that I am already doing
what He wants; He’s not asking me to change or add something else to my work
for Him. This doesn’t mean I’ve arrived
or I’m already so useful there’s nothing left to do. It means the work He’s doing He is doing
through someone else. Part of the lesson
is humility and learning to become willing to be in the background. Obedience for me is not just doing what I’m
told, but not doing what I’m not told.
Some things
I know to do regardless. I am to be kind
to others, love my enemies, bless those who curse me, and walk an extra mile
with the civic leader taking advantage of me.
Those things are not dependent upon my Master telling me to be
them. I also know that I am to seek Him
constantly in worship and prayer. That’s
not something I do only when He calls me to it.
I seek to discern His hands in the works of nature around me. I share what He provides to me with others. And I blog.
But when it
comes to fitting into the fabric of my church, there I have to be mindful of my
Master’s leading. I am to fit, submit to
the pastor and leaders, and participate.
But the degree and the specific role are designated by my Master, not by
what I think I would enjoy the most or get me the most attention. There are things I’m not supposed to do
because He has them designated for someone else. I need to listen for His voice in these
things, and go where He tells me, not where He doesn’t.
This runs
against my co-dependency and my people-pleasing nature. I want people to be happy with me and it’s
something I think I can control. Both
things fly in the face of my servitude to my Master. I want Him to be happy, and I can’t control
Him or others. If my Master is happy
with me, then even my family can be unhappy with me. But I have to be sure He is happy. I have to seek His face and listen for His
voice. Sure He often speaks through the
faces of others, but it is discerning His voice through the noise of their
desperation that is so needed.
So, Abraham
I am not, but such as I am will I be.
And I can only hope to grow in my relationship with my Master that His
voice is easy to hear. Then the
challenge of obedience will be easier to face.
I think…
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