Christ was obedient one hundred percent of the time. He did what God wanted Him to do always, and He never allowed His will to override the will of God. When I truly think about that, it is astounding! Can you imagine choosing to forego your own will to choose the will of God all of the time?
I have trouble getting up fifteen minutes early to spend time with God so I am not an angry person before I have my breakfast sandwich. If Christianity were a video game, I would be at level "Newbie".
But, it seems to me that while I do qualify as a newbie when compared to Christ, I've still become more obedient as I get older. It isn't because I am more disciplined. No, it is because I've seen Christ walk me through some very difficult times and I honestly just love Him. Obedience to Christ comes from loving Him, not through some sort of crazy discipline on our part.
Love is what truly changes us, isn't it? Love is what makes us forego our own wills.
Its 107 degrees today in the Midwest. One hundred seven. Our Husky, Zeus, has decided his full-time job is to lay on the air conditioning vents until the temperatures become reasonable again. I can't blame him and I'm tempted to do the same thing.
107 degrees feels like you're stepping into a furnace when you step outside. Getting into your car after coming out of Wal-Mart is risky, particularly if you have leather seats and you're wearing shorts. It could result in third degree burns to some tender areas. I personally think 107 degrees should be illegal for safety reasons.
Today, the kids and I decided we didn't want to do much of anything and we made our way to the McDonald's drive-thru. Our plan was to get some food, come home, and exist in a vegetative state inside the house until the heat subsided.
I pulled up to the window and opened my wallet to pay for our order. I quickly realized that I had left my debit card at home, along with my ID. Dread swept over me as I realized I had taken both out of my wallet the night before, and they were likely still sitting on my nightstand. I quickly thumbed through my wallet, panicking because I knew didn't have another card to pay with, and I never carry cash.
As I made my way through my wallet one last time while the attendant waited impatiently, I saw at the back of my wallet $35 in cash. Guess how much our total order cost?
$34.98.
I don't remember putting the money in my wallet, because I never carry cash. I don't know how long it had been there. But, I have to tell you, it is stuff like this that makes me fall head-over-heels in love with Jesus. Why would the creator of the universe care about a trip my family made to McDonald's? He's just so amazing. Things like this make Him smile and they tickle me to death.
I know He died on the cross for our sins, but sometimes in my human state I find it hard to personalize such an incredible feat. But then, the same Savior that died on the cross, made sure I had enough money in the McDonald's drive-thru.
I don't know what to make of Him sometimes. He's everything I've ever wanted. Its this kind of love that helps drive my obedience and loyalty, because I can't rely on my discipline to keep the laws of the old testament. I'm so glad I don't have to.
Love is what changes us.
1 John 4:16 We have come to know and have believed the love which God has for us. God is love, and the one who remains in love remains in God, and God remains in him.
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