To Obey Is Better

This past week, I witnessed two children react in two completely different ways to instructions from a parent. In the first interaction, a two year old complied immediately with instructions whispered to her by her father. She was rewarded with a kiss on the top of her head. In the second interaction, a three year old wrestled and struggled when her mom tried to get her to sit still and eat. She was "rewarded" with a trip outside for a spanking and a stern talking to. Both of these interactions made me reflect on the way I way respond when my heavenly Father provides me with instruction. As much as I would like to say that I am most often the obedient two year old, the truth is that too often I am the struggling, rebellious three year old. Will I ever learn that His instructions are for my good? Will I ever fully understand that He will not ask me to do something that will bring harm to me or someone else? Even if I don't fully understand, am I willing to step out in faith and just obey? I can't help but think of Abraham. God had promised Abraham that his descendants would be more numerous than the stars, yet when Abraham's only son was still young, God instructed Abraham to take the boy and offer him as a burnt offering. My human mind says that doesn't make sense! First of all, why would God ask Abraham to burn his child the way pagan gods did? And then there was the promise that God had made. If Abraham killed Isaac, how would Abraham have descendants as promised by God? Abraham had been through enough with God to know He always kept His promises and he trusted God. Abraham took his son to the mountain as God had instructed. He prepared the wood and had his son lie down on the wood. Just as he was about to raise his knife, God stopped him and provided a ram instead. Now I admit, my human mind cannot comprehend a test of that magnitude. There are large magnitude tests today that each of us go through. Each of those tests or trials serve to grow us and help produce endurance in us. They also serve as a means to teach us of God's faithfulness.

Truth be told, in many ways I am like a three year old wrestling against the instructions of a parent. I am growing up and maturing in my faith and trust in God. My heart's desire is to be like that two year old who, upon hearing the whisper of her father, immediately obeyed and was rewarded with a kiss on top of her head. I long to have my heavenly Father kiss me on top of my head.

Blessings,
Teresa