Obedience

Dexter loves his child's Bible. He gets it out every day and flips through it like he is really reading it until he finds his favorite stories. Today he landed on Deborah. A very random spot for him to be so interested in it. He wanted me to read it several times. Now, this version of the children's Bible is a little spotty with details. The book basically says, Deborah went out with the army of Israel, told them to fight because God was with them, and they won. Dexter wanted more, so I added in why. As I began to explain it to him, with an emphasis on obedience as that is something Dexter doesn't quite grasp (hey, who does?), it began to teach a few things to my own heart as well.

I explained that the army listened to Deborah because she heard from God and they respected her. The army didn't want to fight as they thought they would loose because the other army was SO big. But, because they were obedient, they won. I explained that mommy doesn't always want to do certain things, but when God tells her to, she obeys. Not because I want to, but because I love God and I know He loves me and wants to help me. Just like I love Dexter and want to help him.

It really made me think. I realized how hard it must be for Dexter to obey me day after day when he wants to do things and can't understand why I say no. I know I am saying no because it is unsafe or could lead to something unsafe in the future, but he can't understand that. Really, the only reason he obeys me is because he knows there is a consequence if he doesn't or, and hopefully this is the case as he gets bigger, because he trusts me. Wow. Do I happily obey God because I trust Him, or do sometimes I just fear a consequence?

With the launch of my new business and ministry coming at the end of this week, I have felt a little nervous as I begin to invest time, money, and my reputation on this enterprise.  However, there are so many "coincedences" that led to this venture that I know it is something I must do, wheteher I "win" or not.  I know it was a move of obedience.

So, like the army when it listened to Deborah, I want to obey, even when it looks like I may loose. The battle belongs to the Lord right?