Obedience: More Than an Action

Several weeks ago, at a women's study we discussed our tendencies to partially obey God and what obedience should look like. I have since pondered what it truly means to obey God in the fullness that He desires. Obedience can simply be viewed as doing whatever is asked but as a believer, obedience is more than just the doing, it's also how they do it. Perhaps you have heard the phrase, "Delayed obedience is disobedience." It was spoken frequently during my childhood and while at the time it annoyed me to no end, it has provided a deeper understanding of what true obedience is. During the study, the term "partial obedience" was brought up and this thought struck me: is partial obedience still disobedience? 

When we are told to do something specific that we do not want to do, we can often get creative in how to accomplish it in a way that suits us, rather than do what was assigned to us. This is partial obedience, which can be argued as disobedience. Sure, the task was done but how was it done. It is as if we are using the "the end justifies the means" philosophy to cover whatever begrudging feelings, shortcuts, or selfish intent we carried while completing the task. For the world, maybe this is acceptable obedience, but as believers are we not to obey God in total surrender?

Picture a kid's room with papers, books, and trinkets piled on the desk, dirty clothes scattered on the floor next instead of in the laundry hamper, clean clothes wilting over the edge of a basket, an unmade bed, and so on. Their parent tells them to clean their room. The kid begrudgingly goes to their room and starts shoving things in whatever spot they can find to make the room appear to be clean. Toys are thrown in the nearest tub regardless of their label. Clothes are tossed in a hamper even if they are clean and should be hung up or folded into the dresser. Sheets are pulled to at least cover most of the bed. The room now has a floor and the furniture can be seen. The kid can argue that the room has been cleaned. 

At a glance, the kid was obedient. Yet most of us already know what was really asked of them. Toys in their intended tubs, school stuff on the desk, books on the shelf, shoes on the closet rack, dirty clothes in the hamper, clean clothes folded in the dresser or hung up in the closet, bed made correctly and maybe even the floor vacuumed and furniture dusted. This is how the kid had been taught to clean their room and as a result, that is what the parent desired from their kid's obedience. The kid knew what their parent meant by "clean your room". They chose to "obey" how they wanted to rather than obey their parent. Now, the parent is not an idiot, they knew exactly what the kid was likely to do and later they might go in, investigate, and then have the kid re-clean their room. What the kid thought was a shortcut turned into a task that took twice as long, something they could have avoided had they chosen to actually obey the first time. Besides time lost, think of all that was missed. A surprise movie night. Impromptu sleepover. Their parent's trust in them strengthened. Their growth as an honest, responsible individual. The chance to say "I respect, love, and submit to you" to their parent through action? If the kid had known what was at stake their actions might have changed. 

How often do we "obey" God like that? When we want and how we want, rather than as God says. Self-seeking instead of serving, angry instead of surrendered, lazy instead of intentional. Acting with expectation for bountiful blessings and personal growth. Doing what we are told to avoid painful correction. That's not love in action. Our obedience should never be contingent on what we do or don't receive. We will fail and God will step in, as the parent did, correcting and giving us another chance to obey. When we are given opportunities to obey, God desires us to press into Him for the strength, a good attitude, and the perseverance to be obedient in a way that honors Him. Godly obedience is an act of love and respect. It is a worshipful act of submission and trust. It isn't easy but it is worth it. As we obey God, our relationship deepens and our desire to obey God fully grows.

I genuinely want to walk in this type of obedience... in some situations. The "smaller" tasks. The "easier" tasks. The "reasonable" tasks. Then there are those other situations... the uncomfortable, terrifying, I-do-not-have-enough-details, and this-could-not-have-come-at-the-worst-time situations. I'm sure you have some memories springing to mind right now. That time when all God said was "go" but you had no idea where to go. Maybe you questioned or even countered His instruction with an "Okay God, show me where to go, and then I'll go." That time you thought you reached your life's vista point. Everything finally seemed right. The dream came true. The prize was won. Then God said "Give it away" or "Leave it behind." These are the moments we can often find ourselves saying "But God" instead of "Yes God." These are the times I waver. I fight, flee, and freeze. I partially obey, no, I disobey.

God is not unreasonable or cruel. His plan and purpose for us far exceed our comprehension, and it is good and perfect. Godly obedience is not limited by circumstance because our God is above all circumstances. There is nothing too big that He cannot accomplish. When believers have a relationship that pursues God in all things, obedience flows. If we want to obey God fully, we must love, trust, and rely on God fully. We must submit our wants to Him, invite Him to work in all areas of our lives, and spend time with Him. Godly obedience is a positioning of our hearts in preparation for action. It is a humble recognition that we cannot do it without God. It is a prayerful admission of our fears and shortcomings. It is our love for God walked out.