You Gotta CHOOSE to Obey

“I am willing to do whatever you want. I will go wherever you want. I want to serve you.”

Mandy’s prayer gave me chills as I read the possible blog post she sent my way to review. You see this was also my prayer after God was prompting me to make some changes in my life.

Over a year ago. Sunday morning service started with worship as usual, but instead of going right into the message they paused, and gave this direction:

“One way we worship God is by talking with Him, let’s be silent and talk to Him.”

They played quiet instrumentals and asked us all to bow our heads and speak our hearts to God. I know I was praying in the spirit, because I’m not sure where this came from.

I prayed..

“God I don’t know what Your plans are for me, but I just want to be in Your will. I want to serve You, wherever You call me..I want to serve You”

The sermon that followed edified it even more. They read from Luke about the cost of following Jesus.

“To another he said, ‘Follow me.’ But he said, ‘Lord, let me first go and bury my father.’ And Jesus said to him, ‘Leave the dead to bury their own dead. But as for you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God.’” Luke 9:59-60

You see in this scripture they were on a road heading to Jerusalem. If the man’s father was truly dead, he would have been in mourning. Not on the side of the road. This man was asking to go live with his father until he died. Who knows how many years that would be and THEN follow Jesus.

The sermon went on to convict me. Our pastor asked, “What is stopping you from following God’s call? When your children are grown? When you have this much in savings? When you finish college? What is stopping you from following Jesus?”

Now he wasn’t telling us to leave our children behind, or stop being responsible with our finances, or quit school. God has a great way of meeting us right where we are. Following Jesus means to be in tune with His will for you and to make Him first in your life. Whether that means going on missions or serving in the nursery on Sundays.

“Let me hear of your unfailing love each morning, for I am trusting you. Show me where to walk, for I give myself to you.” Psalms 143:8

Then, following the sermon in the hallway TT, a Connection board member stopped me. She asked me to consider taking a position on the Board of Directors. Knowing these board members, I knew what kind of commitment this would be.

Remember the prayer!

Remember that sermon!

So what was my response?

I’d like to say I instantly followed Jesus.

But…

Instantly my flesh was said…”No! Wait. Let me pray about this and talk to my husband.”

On our way home, I replayed the events to my husband. He also knew the weeks leading up to this and how God prompted me to quit my part-time job. It was an act of obedience to quit. He had seen me battle with that command from God not understanding why. Assuming God wanted me to solely focus on our family of 6.

What was my husband’s response?

He cracked up laughing….hysterically!

Then he looked at me (after catching his breath) and said “Mary, God is speaking loud and clear to you. He has prepared a way by clearing time for you, telling you to leaving your job. Now you just have to choose to obey.”

You’d think that would be enough, but I’ll admit I’m a bit strong-willed.

So I prayed.

I journaled.

I prayed some more.

My husband was right. (There you go Norm, you have it in writing) I had a choice! God was speaking loud and clear. I had to choose to obey.

I remember feeling so ill-equipped, and I still do. Even in hindsight, I sometimes wonder what I’m doing and if I’m making an impact. It’s still a daily choice to be obedient. BECAUSE…My true desire is to be in His will.

Why?

Because If I’m in His will, He will equip me. I don’t need to trust in my own abilities, I only need to trust in God, and He will take care of the rest.

“I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13

Yes, you gotta offer.

Then you gotta choose to obey.

Like Mandy said in our last blog, “God has a plan for each of us. He wants to use you. You are not too young or too old or too busy or too inexperienced. You have to be open and willing to do what He asks of you.”

So I encourage you! Make an offer you shouldn’t refuse.

Mary

Mary Bender and her husband Norman live in Greencastle, PA.  They have three energetic boys, and one adorable little girl.  Mary counts herself as being truly blessed to be saved by Christ, who equips her to be a stay at home mom to her four “littles.”  In addition to being a wife and mother, Mary uses her God-given gifts to serve in women’s ministry at her church, LCBC, and as a life group leader.  Mary also uses her passion for women’s ministry for serving on the board of directors for “The Connection.”  It is Mary’s desire to serve and encourage women to have genuine faith while building a home and raising her children.