Obedience

 Why is it so difficult for some of us to be obedient? Whether to parents, supervisors, and (maybe especially) God, obeying has always been difficult for me. Do not get me wrong. I think rules and laws are essential; there must be order to live in a free society. Without rules and laws, there is only chaos. I suppose I look for logic and reason behind the rules and laws.

Matthew tells a parable of two sons who had difficulty obeying their father’s will. The father asked the first son to work the vineyard, and the son flat-out said no. So the father went to the second son with the same request, and this son said sure, I’ll go. However, the second son did not go. Perhaps he was caught up in another activity and forgot; maybe he was just trying to appease his father, we are not told. We are not told how long it took for the first son to obey, but he had a change of heart and went to work. Which obeyed the father? The first, of course. (Matt. 21:28-32).

When I became a Christian in February 1986, I lived in the Bush. I had no church, no pastor, and no understanding of obedience to God. For a while, I even thought I had to become Jewish and obey all the Laws of Moses. I was raised in a denomination that baptizes infants. It seemed fitting to me, so I did not think anything more about baptism for years.

We began attending a Baptist church when we moved onto the road system. The pastor asked if I had been baptized. I answered yes, but…He stopped me, saying he did not need the details. A few years later, a second pastor asked the same question with the same result. As I grew in my faith and learned more about God and what the Bible said, I began understanding the difference between my infant baptism and baptism after coming to faith. I know that salvation is in Christ alone, not in Christ and anything else, including baptism.

So what does all of this have to do with anything? I went to school in obedience, knowing a teacher is held to a higher standard (James 3:1). I also know to be obedient, a Christian should be baptized. Why have I put it off? I tell myself it is because I do not want others to think I have been guiding and teaching under false pretenses - that I was not a Christian. I have come to realize that what others think should not sway me from obeying God. I know I have loved, followed, and served Him for over 37 years – more importantly, He has known it. Luke tells us that the angels rejoice over one sinner who repents, not over one who is baptized.

So, I will be baptized sometime in July, fully submerged, symbolizing death, burial, and resurrection and celebrating having become a new creature in Christ Jesus all those years ago. Pray for courage and that I don’t have a panic attack; being fully underwater in a lake, pool, ocean, or baptismal tank is a real fear.

Lord heavenly Father

Thank you for your infinite patience with me

and please forgive my disobedience.

I praise You for Your lovingkindness, Your mercy, and grace.

Always guide my words and actions to bring You

all honor and glory

as I strive to be more obedient.

In Christ alone, and in Jesus’ name, I pray

Amen

Lost Child

Jim and I lived in the Alaska Bush for many years; during that time, my nephews lived with us off and on for months and years at a time.

Geoff and Darren were wild little guys; they made their own fun and did not have too many rules. One rule was that they would not leave our immediate area without an adult. We lived in the wilderness and had wild animals in our yard relatively often. The boys understood from the time they could walk what to do if they saw various animals, including moose and bears. Our “immediate area” was about three acres, primarily covered in Johnson grass which can grow six feet tall. We had some wooded areas and, of course, our homestead in that little three acres. I felt completely safe and secure in knowing that the boys would not be in danger while playing.

One day the boys were outside playing. Jim was scouting hunting locations, and I watched the boys in between chores. It was getting late afternoon, and Geoff came in from playing. I asked where Darren was because they were always together. Geoff had no idea where his little brother was; they had been playing hide-and-seek. We went outside together and hunted and called for Darren for what seemed like hours. By this time, Jim was home, and it had started to rain, but still no sign of Darren. Thankfully, there was also no sign of bears or other animals.

When they were little, we had a dog team, and like most little boys, Geoff and Darren loved to play with the dogs. I looked in the dog yard and did not see him hiding behind any houses, so I kept looking elsewhere. As the rain fell harder, I noticed all the dogs except one had gone into their houses. Now this particular dog was not the brightest bulb in the pack, so I did not think too much of it until it was clear Darren was not in our three acres.

By this time, the dog was soaked; why I wondered, did he not get out of the rain? I went to the dog yard to coax him into his house, and as I looked inside, I saw Darren curled up in the straw like a puppy, sound asleep.

I woke him up and carried him to the house, rejoicing the whole while. This precious child who had been lost was found! He was hiding from his brother and fell asleep quickly as small children are wont to do. Darren did not hear us calling; he had no idea he had been lost or why we were so happy to see him.

How often are we like that with our Heavenly Father? We do not even realize we are lost or headed in the wrong direction. We do not hear His voice or the voices of others trying to find us or call us out of our wanderings. Yet the angels in heaven rejoice when someone comes to repentance - when they are found (Luke 15:7,10).

Luke 15 gives us several examples of rejoicing when something has been found; a sheep, coin, and son. In each of these parables, the seeker did not stop until that which was lost had been found; neither will God throw His hands up and give up on finding the lost.

If God gives you a burden for someone, do not give up. Pray for directions on how to reach them. Look for opportunities to develop a relationship with that person. It could take a little time; it could take years. The timing is God’s; the relationship is yours. It took maybe an hour to find Darren; it took 25 years for me to realize I was lost and God was seeking me.

Heavenly Father, seeker of the lost

I thank you for never giving up on Your children.

The examples you gave us through Dr. Luke-, 

leaving some behind to find the lost

Looking in the darkest corners

Waiting years for repentance

Are awesome reminders that you are patient, not wanting

Anyone to perish, but all come to know You.

Guide me, Lord, as I continue to seek after You.

In Christ alone, and in Whose name I pray.

Amen