In our last post in this series of “How Big Is Your But?” I wrote about if we really have any options but to obey God. Of course it’s our choice to disobey, but often we excuse it to the point of not even acknowledging that we are not doing what He’s told us to do or doing what He’s told us not to do.
1. “Someday”
One of the biggest lies we can tell ourselves when God clearly speaks to our hearts is “someday!” “Someday” is easy because we can say it and, in our hearts know that we never actually are going to do what He’s told us to do.
“Someday I will get help in my marriage.”
“Someday I will invite my friend to church.”
“Someday I will begin reading my Bible.”
“Someday I will get serious about my physical health.”
What is it that He’s telling you to do? Life is way to short for us to get at the end of it and have regrets…”someday” needs to be today.
2. “Someone”
Christians are the best people in the world at taking what God has told them to do and try to make it everyone else’s calling as well.
Your burden is your responsibility!
Stop expecting other people to do what He’s calling you to do! He didn’t call any of us to merely be informants and tell people what to do…but rather He called us to make an impact by carrying out what He has so clearly burdened our hearts with.
You are the “someone” who needs to step up and do what He’s put in your heart to do!
3. “Somewhat”
If I was to ask you whether or not you are doing what God has called you to do would you answer “somewhat?”
Partial obedience is complete disobedience.
We can’t halfway do what God is calling us to do and expect Him to be happy with a half hearted effort. Caleb followed God wholeheartedly. He endured the consequences for the sins of others. For a lifetime he wandered apparently aimlessly as he waited for everything he knew to die off.
If God’s called you to do something then He will complete His work when we our faithful to complete ours.
…being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
Philippians 1:6 (NIV)
The Good News
The good news is that, contrary to what I tell my kids, delayed obedience is still obedience.
How can I say that? Look at the Jesus told the parable of the two sons:
“What do you think? There was a man who had two sons. He went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work today in the vineyard.’ ‘I will not,’ he answered, but later he changed his mind and went. Then the father went to the other son and said the same thing. He answered, ‘I will, sir,’ but he did not go. Which of the two did what his father wanted?” ”The first,” they answered. Jesus said to them, “I tell you the truth, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God ahead of you. Matthew 21:28-31 (New International Version)
It’s not too late for you to obey now. photo. 85 years old he said “Give me my hill country, there are giants there with fortified cities and I want it.”
Don’t let the same fear and worry that stopped you the first time you saw those giants stop you ever again.
What giants are you facing? I’d love to pray with you.
nutrition education credit: nutrition education
Right now I am facing the giant of uncertainty. We are making some big steps of faith in our church and it scares me to death sometimes! I would love to know that everything was going to turn out “unicorns and rainbows” but I know that isn’t always the case. I guess it is more a issue of faith …
Kevin, so many of us are in the season of looking at the raging Jordan in flood and wondering if God really wants us to step in before the miracle takes place upstream.
I want to always hear the Father tell me “step in” or “step out”, but I’ve been bothered with Jonathan saying “Perhaps God will be with us…” and seeing the results from that faith.
Can’t wait to see what God leads you through. Keep up the great work on your blog.