Stubborn Obedience

“So then, from now on be obedient to the Lord and stop being stubborn. The Lord your God is supreme over all gods and over all powers. He is great and mighty, and he is to be obeyed. He does not show partiality, and he does not accept bribes. He makes sure that orphans and widows are treated fairly; he loves the foreigners who live with our people, and gives them food and clothes. So then, show love for those foreigners, because you were once foreigners in Egypt. Have reverence for the Lord your God and worship only him. Be faithful to him and make your promises in his name alone. Praise him—he is your God, and you have seen with your own eyes the great and astounding things that he has done for you.” Deuteronomy‬ ‭10‬:‭16‬-‭21‬

Have you ever been reading the Bible, knowing you want God to really speak to you through the Word, and then He does and your just left thinking “Really?” That was me this morning as I wrapped up my quiet time. There were several things that I felt like He spoke, but most were for what I was heading into for the day. I read about how the Word is used for teaching and correcting. Then to Paul and the thorn in the flesh. Followed by going boldly before the Lord to His throne of grace. They were all great words as I headed to pray with others in the community at one of the local schools as they start back on Tuesday.

However, as I read this passage I knew it was for me. I have a strong stubborn streak. In the past, I have been willing to stand on something I realized I was wrong about, just because I was being stubborn. I know that it is an area where Holy Spirit continues to refine me. Obedience is another area, where He has been speaking to me. I know it has been more than just this year that He has been correcting me; this year though, I have really been pressing into His process.

I am trying to obey in the moment, before I have the time to talk myself out of it by reason or insecurity. I immediately speak it to someone who will hold me accountable if it is not something that I can do in the moment. I am saying yes, even when in the natural I would prefer to say no.

I am ending two weeks of walking in faith in a process I started three months ago to do something I never thought I would do again. Even as I am in the waiting period, where much is completely outside my control, I am working to be obedient to each step I feel God has told me to take. I admit I am still stubbornly trying to will things to happen in my time. In my heart of hearts I know, even if my brain struggles to admit it, that God is in control. I have a peace as long as I stay focused on that truth.

The Scripture came on the heals of two things that provided confirmation to me that this was where God wanted my attention. The first is that this week I have posted on my blog from my journals from October 2020. I had not been to New Mexico yet, but knew I was coming. The words that were spoken over me by various people and the revelation in my personal quiet time frequently moved me to tears as I saw God’s promises during those months have come true. As I was faithful to what He told me to do (even though at times I still drug my feet), He was faithful to bring it to pass. It was so encouraging as many of the things I had forgotten about completely, but God’s Word does not return void.

The second was a conversation I had with a community leader. He was involved in not only the spiritual realm, but also in meeting the needs in our community. Although it was our first conversation, it was clear that we had similar outlooks. We had talked about meeting the needs of people in our community that are facing hard times. We discussed the importance of being a voice amongst the noise of division. And agreed that it is the Church that God called to meet the needs not the government or nonprofits. The time for the Church to stand up is now.

I would love to get to the point in my walk with God where I am stubbornly obedient to Him. Where I hear His voice or read His command and just obey. Where I look to Him continually for the next step, stubbornly wanting to hear His directions above everything else. I want to see and hear His voice when it comes to other people so that I can be His hands, feet, and compassion to them. I want to fulfill every purpose He has for me, in stubborn obedience!

Prayer – Lord I do praise You for all that You are and all You have done. I am astounded at all I have seen You do in my life, especially in the past two and a half years. I submit my will to You, knowing that You are the only one that is in control. Please use my stubbornness for Your purposes. Help me to continue to be obedient to You and to not fight what You ask of me. Lord I lift up the orphans, whether in the physical or spiritual and emotional, let every orphan experience Your love, encountering You but also through Your people. I lift up the widows and widowers to You, help them to feel Your tangible presence in those moments of loneliness. Lord, I pray that You would bring people into their lives to provide human connection. I also ask Lord, that if they have children or other family that You would give their family eyes to see the need for connection, the intentional effort to make the connection, and your eyes, ears, and compassion and love to flow though from the younger to the elder. I pray for fellow citizens who are experiencing hard times right now, show me, and Your other children what we can do to best love them, accept them, and provide hope and tangible help during the difficult times. I also pray for those who are strangers, help Your people to find ways to include and love each person, regardless of where they are from. I give You glory and honor, thanking You for meeting every need out of Your great love for us. In Jesus name. Amen.