Psalm 119:165 – “Abundant peace belongs to those who love Your instruction; nothing makes them stumble.”
Psalm 29:11 – “The Lord gives His people strength; the Lord blesses His people with peace.”
I’ve had this title and the gist of what I wanted to write for this blog in my head for a while. But honestly, as I type this out at 4 in the morning because I cannot sleep (restless thoughts and cockroaches the size of mini mice filling my mind) God laid it on my heart to just start writing. I have no idea what is actually going to come out but here it goes.
We met a couple here through connections we have gained with fellow believers. They are a beautiful couple with so much love for the Lord. They are here long term with their several kids. They both come from teaching backgrounds and are using those backgrounds to glorify the Lord in a way that His Word can continue to spread efficiently and effectively. I so admire what they are doing here and I have found myself with such a passion to come along side them in whatever way I can. Being able to use the gifts God has given me along with my passions for teaching and for the hearts of youth and children has been an incredible blessing. I’m so thankful the Lord has opened that door for us to come along side and encourage their hearts as much as we are able in the short time we are here. I wish I was able to stay longer or help more, as the blessing I hope I have been to them is nothing compared to the encouragement they have been to me.
We went over to their house for dinner one night and I was just in awe of their genuine, authentic relationships with each other and with their kids that could only stem from a genuine and authentic relationship with the Lord. Something they said struck me and stuck with me. They do what they do because as they read God’s Word they see these commands. Commands that as comfortable believers we tend to pick and choose which ones we actually follow and which ones are ok to kind of let other believers follow. Commands that we hear and listen to on Sunday mornings or in our devotions, but don’t always put into action. Commands like Matthew 28:19 for example. So, as a couple, they decided that whatever they read In God’s Word, they were not just going to listen, but they were actually going to do. They never heard an audible voice, they never got a vision of where they needed to go or what exactly needed to be done, they just continually follow God and the beautiful Words He says. They didn’t need a wondrous sign or a bolt of lightning to go…in fact, their view is that they are just going to do what God says in His Word until He decides to use that bolt of lightening or that closing of doors to stop them. They simply just obey.
It’s that simple…just obey.
I’ve been struggling mentally and emotionally lately with what this looks like in my life. How to simply obey and where my convictions lie on certain issues and topics. As I think about how God has used me in the past and how He continues to use me today all I can come back to is the fact that I don’t need and I never have needed a miracle to see the fruits of His Spirit in my life. I’ve never needed a wondrous sign or a “bolt of lightening” to recognize His goodness—to see his power and glory. Now, if he wants to do a miraculous sign, He will! I believe miracles and crazy things happen daily. Whether that be healing someone of disease, or something much more simple like His protective hand over me and my best friend in a car accident a few years back. Those things are amazing and all glory be to God! I, however, do not need those things to happen for me to recognize the power of the cross. Jesus is the way. He is the truth and He is the life. He is the reason why the Helper came. He is the reason I have that Helper inside me—so that I might boldly proclaim His name through my words, my conduct, and my love. And in simply doing that, I am just obeying.
Deuteronomy 29:9 – “Therefore keep the words of this covenant and do them, that you may prosper in all that you do.”
Philippians 2:12-13 – “So then, my dear friends, just as you have always obeyed, not only in my presence, but now even more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God who is working in you, enabling you both to desire and to work out His good purpose.”
