Battle for Obedience

In an effort to fill my time with my charge, I found an old Baptist Hymnal in their house and have been diligently scouring it for songs that I know from my hymn singing youth.  Encouraged to interact & talk to the little 4 mo. as much as I can, I find that singing is an easy way to have a one sided conversation, without feeling remarkably ridiculous.  While having our morning sing-a-long a few days ago I came across the classic "Trust & Obey" and was marked by the delightful simplicity and truth.

Here's a sample of the first verse and chorus:
As we walk with the Lord, in the light of His word, what a glory He sheds on our way,
While we do His good will, He abides with us still, and with all who will trust and obey.
Trust and obey for there's no other way, to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.


I've been thinking a lot about the "joy of the Lord" and how to purposely live in God's happiness, for as a sometimes admitted cynic at heart, being truly joyful (not just sarcastic) is not my initial outpouring of my soul.  In fact it isn't Mike Mason's natural disposition either, he wrote a book "Champagne for the Soul: Celebrating God's Gift of Joy".  I recommend checking it out as it takes you through a 90 day reflection on biblical happiness.

Two dear friends from small group used to tease each other as one was a classic sanguine and the other a classic melancholic.  The Tigger would say to the Eeoyre "If your happy you should let your face know."  Which always makes me laugh, for true joy is not a somber reality, but a bubbling brook.  It cannot be a fake painted grin, but an inward glow.  My face should know I am happy!

But what does it mean to be inwardly happy and at peace with the world and oneself?  I believe it must be the truth of this hymn, walking in obedience to God. Not to say that one can be walking in obedience and not happy, for there is always the opportunity for defiant submission, but rather, delighting ourselves in the law of the Lord (Ps 37:4)- is what truly gives us peace & contentment.

If we truly believe that God created us and knows what is best for what He has created, then it behooves us to live in accordance with His instruction manual. (aka, walk by the spirit)  I can use a toaster for all sorts of fun things like a door stop, or a holder for my favorite DVDs, I could even use it to light pieces of paper on fire, or to try and warm meat products, but in the end its really meant to toast toast.  It has to be plugged in.  You know, to work.  I mean, I could use the chord to tie up my bread bag, or the prongs to perfectly cut one inch slivers of my sweet peppers, but it's meant to give electricity to my toaster.  I think you get the idea.

For some strange reason, I sometimes think I know what's best, I know what will make me happy.  And it most certainly is not what is in the instructions or "proper care" of my manual.  How foolish I am.  As if the pot can say to the potter, "You don't know what you're talking about!"  (Isaiah 29:16)  No, at times I choose not to be a servant to right use, but a slave to my selfish, silly whims.  Of course my selfish, silly whims are not a better master.  Rather they drive me to madness and folly.  And really, in the end... death.  My dumbfounded ways of living don't equal a new and improved me, but a self centered all about Me.  It is a death to true relationship with God and others.  As I am enveloped in MY needs.  Ah, but living according to God's ways, now that's real life!  (Romans 6)  That's having boundaries, saying no to my silly whims, that's loving others and having relationships that are more than about what I want/need.  That's community.  That's fellowship.  That's joy.

But I guess it just comes down to the question, "Do I trust Him?"

On a lighter/entertaining note check out this funny cartoon blog "The God of Cake" which oddly illustrates my point!  My apologies in advance for the slight vulgarity at the end.