Every believer must choose whether he will live by the principle of
obedience or follow his preferences. When a person commits to doing the
Lord’s will, then every situation and decision is sifted through the
standard of "God said it, so I’m going to do it—and that’s the end of
it." He may complain, weep, or try to argue. But in the end he will be
obedient, no matter what.
I recall being invited years ago to interview with a church in Atlanta.
During the entire road trip, I told the Lord that I didn’t want to
move. I fussed and carried on a good while, but I knew Atlanta would be
my new home. I didn’t like the idea, but the alternative was
unimaginable: there are few things more unpleasant than living with the
nagging anxiety that you missed out on something good.
The Lord certainly understands our need to question, cry out, and
petition Him for the strength to do what He asks. Hebrews 4:15 tells us
that we have a high priest who can sympathize with us. Jesus wasn’t
excited or happy about the cross. He grieved over the coming separation
from His Father. Nevertheless, He was committed to following God’s will
(Matt. 26:39). No one took Christ’s life from Him; He laid it down (John
10:18).
Our lives are about fulfilling God’s purpose. Many people miss His
awesome plan for them because they choose to follow their preferences.
Obedience is sometimes hard, but the struggle and sacrifice are worth
it. There is joy and peace for the believer who pleases the Lord and
lives by His principles.
from Dr. Charles Stanley
No comments:
Post a Comment