Obedience to God is not an obligation. One could make a case that out of a depth of gratitude for His grace, who He is and all He has done, that it should be … but, that’s not how God made it work. Our obedience to Him, while desired and expected, should be viewed as an opportunity, rather than an obligation. 

We do not become robots at the point of regeneration.

While that imaginably may make life seemingly easier, it would be really empty. Our choosing to love God in such a way that drives a willingness to obediently and passionately walk with Him is the very thing He desires most from us. 

Think about it. There’s enough room in the sovereignty of God for God to choose to give mankind free will. In this free will, God desires man to ultimately choose His will, out of love, respect (reverence), adoration, and gratitude, God desires man to choose to follow Him. This doesn’t take away from the fact that God chose us first, nor does it make God weak or feckless to believe that He desires us to choose Him back. 

Everyday, we have choices to make.

Do we walk in integrity with our job? Do we remain faithful in our marriage?

Do we choose to do our best to take care of our children?  What drives these decisions?

LOVE.

Not the emotion of love, but the choosing of the type of love that yields a discipline to live in a loving way. The choosing of a sacrificial love that puts others in front of self, the choosing of self-denying love.

Everyday we have the opportunity to love God, our family, and our life. It’s when we begin to think of these things as an obligation that we make ourselves the center of gravity, so to say, which is when the wheels begin to come off — But, for the one who is willing …

For the one who says YES LORD … walking in the ways of YOUR truth!

For the one who declares the sole desire to wait on God,  so to behold the glory of God.

This one sees the opportunity rather than the obligation.This one knows the power and has tasted His presence to be fully aware of His goodness.This one is willing, no matter what, to walk in obedience to Him because of who He is, and because His name is so great, they can’t help themselves.  This one desires God to do whatever He desires in, through, and with their life. Yes Lord, walking in the way of Your truth we wait for You. Do what you desire. Your name and fame are the desire of our very souls.

May we see the opportunity to bless and honor God; and let our honest prayer be:

God, out of my love and reverence for You … whatever you desire to do, start with me!