The Best Part of Obedience

What are you needing today? What do you desire? Do you feel stuck?

When I get in a bind–or even when I’m floundering and looking for the next step–I have to go back to Him.

Remember Jesus’ miracle at the wedding feast? It was one of the first miracles Jesus ever did.

They had run out of wine at the wedding. Apparently that was a big deal in the Jewish culture.

Freaking out, they turned to Mary and asked: “what do we do?”

Mary said: “whatever Jesus tells you to do, do it”.

There’s so much power in that! So much clarity.

So Jesus told them to fill some stone water vessels with water. When that was done, Jesus instructed the servants to draw some of the water they had just put in.

Then Jesus instructed them to bring it to the master of the feast.

On the way, it turned into incredible wine!

Over and over again, you see this in the Bible. Seeking God–choosing “Whatever Jesus tells you to do, do it”--has powerful results.

God doesn’t always usually speak in an audible voice. Often, it’s a still, small Voice, or an inner “knowing”--when you get alone with the Lord, you know.

Someone described it as having a “green light” in your spirit. Some people might describe it as having a “gut feeling”.

I heard once about a man who invested in the stock market back in the old days.

Whenever he would get a hot tip, he would get alone in his closet.

He would always look for that inner urging, that inclination.

When he finally connected to it, he would follow it.

That man made bank doing that.

The more we seek God’s voice and seek to be led by Him, the more God has access in our life.

Also, the more we grow accustomed to recognizing God’s voice.

In Genesis 5:24, it says: “and Enoch walked with God, and he was not, for God took him”.

He walked with God.

I have no idea who Enoch was, but that simple description of his life always stirred me: “...walked with God…”

Didn’t say he “knew of God” or “knew about God” but that he “walked with God”.

I’d love to have those words in my obituary some day:

“He walked with God”.

This practice of seeking God and following Him is a big part of the reality of that idea.

Mom was learning this for the first time a few years ago. She had misplaced presents for my youngest brother. She sought the Lord, and the Lord gave her a clear vision of them being in her bedroom closet.

She went up there, and there they were!

Obedience works.

Recently, I was writing something. I had a deadline, but people kept wanting to talk to me on the phone.

Late at night, I was still needing to write, but the words weren’t coming clearly. I could tell they weren’t fully anointed. But I had a deadline.

But I felt strongly God wanted me to call a friend in need. Finally, although it didn’t make sense to my not-so beautiful mind, I obeyed that inner urge.

After talking to my friend for an hour, I returned to write.

Suddenly, clarity in my writing appeared. I could feel the Spirit of the Lord giving me the words.

I rewrote it from the beginning. When I was done, I was surprised and excited! What had just happened?!

Obedience works.

Another time, God was dealing with me about going deeper in my life, to find real care and real connection. I wondered: “how can I go that deep?” I felt stuck and agitated.

A friend needed a hand. I didn’t want to help, but I felt God provoking me to respond.

So I laid down my life and offered to help.

By the time I was done, clarity and freedom were there, my eyes were refocused on God, and I had something I didn’t have before. So much lightness.

Obedience works.

Last week, I was stressing about something.

I knew I was needing to connect to the Lord again in my heart, but I didn’t feel like it. I felt like I was lacking some key vitamins in my spirit.

So again I practiced walking with God.

“In Phillipans, You say: ‘My God shall supply all your needs,’ “ I told God. “You promised. I feel weary and drained right now. You tell me what to do, and I’ll add my faith to it. You’re working beyond what I know. I know You’ll refill my cup.“

God did.

God spoke something to me when I was a teenager: “Seeking Me is always worth it”.

Seemed like such a overly simply statement, but it resonated with me.

The benefit of seeking God in every moment is you have testimonies of encountering the real God–and those testimonies become memories, and those memories become our life.

Having a life full of memories of encounters with God has eternal value! That’s something you can take with you.

I’m very blessed to have a life full of things God has led me to.

That makes my personal items more than merely a truck or a place to live, but about what God has given me. Those items become eternal testimonies.

A friend had a vivid dream. In the dream, she was talking to Jesus, and telling Him about being overwhelmed by life. “How do I deal with everything?” she asked.

“Every day, I’ll put a path in front of you,” Jesus replied. “Follow the light I give you for the path that day. That’s it. That’s all you do. As you continue to do what I show you every day, you’ll see clearer and clearer. if you don’t follow it, the path will grow more dim.”

She remembered how comforting, how matter-of-fact Jesus spoke. There was no condemnation, no threat in His words, just direction.

What do you need today? Do you want to see miracles happen?

“For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the Sons of God” Romans 8:14.

“Whatever Jesus tells you to do, do it.”

Doing what He says opens up the door to a miraculous life.

Test it out!