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“He (Jesus) replied, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.”  Luke 11:28 (NIV)

Stunned. I couldn’t believe my ears. That someone would say such things. Immediate hurt, confusion, disbelief. Alternatives were considered with prayer paramount. Godly counsel suggested the Matthew 18 approach. Phraseology rehearsed and executed with precision. Textbook outcome. Until the next time. And the next time. Obedience is met with opposition and unmet expectations. It all went terribly wrong. I mean wrong. Terribly. The result is not only broken relationships, but broken hopes, and seemingly an erosion of everything worked for.

I wonder if you’ve found yourself in a similar situation. As you rush towards an opportunity, the door suddenly slams. Misunderstanding and a friendship never really return to intimacy. An unexpected change and the well-honed plan is trashed.  The sting of rejection, abandonment and fear can crowd in and crowd out the Spirit’s voice of comfort.

As I’ve learned, obedience doesn’t mean that it will go my way. From our position of love, we strive to be obedient to our Lord. We know well His dictates to live in unity, to endure hardship, to die to self. Are we ready when moments of testing present themselves?

“Trust is our gift back to God and He finds it so enchanting that Jesus died for love of it” (Brennan Manning). I am sure there are many lessons to learn and develop in my trial. At a whim, He is able to re-direct my course of action for I have chosen that He establishes my steps. Welcome is He to show Himself faithful to others through my brokenness. He knows the big picture, the intertwining of the pieces and how He will receive the maximum glory. At the core of it all is to establish my ability to trust God and to declare His Lordship in my life. When obedience seems to have gone wrong, I must decide to remain in the trial as a further act of obedience.

Rather than withdraw from my Creator, I must resolve to press into Him. Prayers uninhibited by unrepented sin. My heart is open before the Lord and receptive to His comfort, correction and care. To love Him at all costs, serve Him with all fervor and remain steadfast to the truths He has presented before me. Ways not exhibited by the world, but devotion exemplified by Christ on the cross.

“Father, may I go forward in obedience knowing You have a plan and purpose for all. In Your wisdom, You are refining this vessel and making it useful for Your glory.”

For His Glory,

Kathryn Hayman
TRBC Women’s Life