OBEY IN THE BIG (AND THE LITTLE) THINGS
Carey Madding
Today's Scripture: “But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.” Galatians 5:16, ESV
Theme: Sometimes we can identify messages from the Holy Spirit by the fact that we feel called to do something we wouldn’t naturally do.
RIDICULOUSLY STUBBORN
Many times, God gives me a nudge, often to do something I do not wish to do. Maybe I’m lazy, or don’t want to take the time, or I dread the assignment, but for whatever reason, I am certain it is from God – and I don’t care to obey.
One incredibly embarrassing example you will think cannot possibly be a God-nudge. Yet I know it was. (Since my Life Group already knows this story, I’ll tell you, also.) About ten years ago, I was taking a shower before work. I felt the Spirit say, “Shave your legs.” Now, I am a task-over-emotion kind of gal, and I had a big workday planned. So, I said in my heart, “No. I’ll take time tomorrow.” I did not know it was Boss’s Day, but two of my staff members had planned a girl’s pedicure and lunch. It was embarrassing, especially since I had been given a heads up and chose to ignore it.
A decade later, for the second time in my life, God told me to shave my legs. We had just come back from Egypt and a long plane ride, and my back was a bit tight. Plus, I had a new employee coming in for the first time that morning and I did not want to be late. I said to myself, “I’m already washing my hair today. My back will be better tomorrow. I’ll shave my legs then.” Later that afternoon, I had a small bike wreck and had to go in for stitches, again with unshaven legs. I had not learned one single thing. Mortifying.
IMPORTANT NUDGES
Usually, my nudges have much more weight: “Check on this person,” “Call that family,” “Give this money,” “Stop and pray.” I have learned that being disobedient has consequences. I once saw a couple leaving a mostly empty Cove parking lot. I felt God say, “Check on them.” I called out (weakly) and they did not hear me, so I let it go. The next day, I heard the police had been called to their home for a domestic dispute. At that point, it was far from embarrassment I felt. It was shame that I had not acted immediately and made myself available for however God wanted to use me.
LIVE IN THE SPIRIT
Jesus said, “I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing” (John 15:5, ESV). If you want to hear from God you’ve got to stay plugged into Him. How do we do that? How do we stay connected to the Spirit? We start by putting away the sin in our lives. This involves allowing God to search our hearts, confessing our sins and turning from them.
Then we need to open the Bible (or our Bible app) and read God’s Word, so that we can learn how to recognize God’s voice. Whatever He tells us, it will never be contrary to His Living Word--the Bible. This also helps us understand God’s will and what we are hearing. And once we have that, our actions can be influenced by God’s will. Then, we are just responsible for doing as He has asked. He will be responsible for directing us!
Make It Personal: The Bible also says that we can quench the Spirit of God: “And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption” (Ephesians 4:30, ESV). When we ignore, disobey, and choose to dive headfirst into sin, it becomes very hard to hear God, though He is always with us. His love is unfailing but the power of His presence flowing through us can be plugged. Like a phone that never got charged, we lack the ability to fulfill our full purpose and potential, simply by being disconnected from God by our disobedience. If you want to hear from God, start by doing the last thing you felt He said or nudged you to do. Just keep doing “the next thing” He asks.
Pray: Lord, I want to hear and obey, in big ways and small. I want to stop and do whatever You ask of me, right then, without hesitation or grumbling. Please continue to speak to me, even when I fail to hear or follow through. I really do want to please You. In Jesus’ Name I pray. Amen.
Read: Acts 9:10-19, 18:9-10; 1 Kings 19:11-13
Weekly Memory Verse: But be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, Ephesians 5:18b - 19 (ESV)