dimanche, mars 13, 2005

Obedience and Grace

Inspired by this morning's sermon on Moses leading the Israelites through the wilderness, I had a thought or two re: our "wilderness" journey. (Yeah, in a way we'd consider ourselves in a dry, barren place... waiting/trusting for daily "manna" to sustain us; tempted, at times, to "return to Egypt" where things were a little more predictable and we could survive by self-provision.)

Um, ... yeah, where was I... Obedience- desired by God much more-so then sacrifice. And what does that look like? Do we always get a clear command/instruction to "go here", "do this", etc? Sometimes we do, and then we had better obey or God, in his holy and righteous sovereignty, will call us to account for disobedience. (That could be yikes! for us, like it was for Moses who struck the rock instead of speaking to it as the Lord had asked him to. His disobedience cost him personal entrance to the promised land.)

However, more often then a clear instruction, I think we get an 'open page' on our journey, in which we have to make choices (*I used to love the "choose your own adventure" books- now it means so much more to make good choices). Not in ignorance- left to our own devices. But choices made using the "equipment" God has been giving us during our 'walk' with Him thus far: wisdom not of this world (see James 3:13-18); desire for the things of God; "juice" from the Vine to make us fruit-bearing; the Sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God; council from godly brothers/sisters in Christ; and many other "tools", not the least of these being the Holy Spirit, who gives us discernment, teaches us Truth and encourages us on the way.

All this to say that Jer and I have felt that we haven't been handed a sheet of instructions from the Lord on our journey. And sometimes we feel like we're waiting and waiting for a command to obey, so as not to make a wrong step. Yet, there have been very few so-called "commands". Instead, we're learning that by using the "equipment" God has given us, we can take this journey with courage and boldness, knowing that God is before us, behind us and beside us. He is allowing us to make choices. And there is always GRACE for us along the way. We can never be perfectly wise, but God is gracious to us as a Father- desiring to see his children mature in their process. The onus is on us, however, to remain "equipped"; stay connected to the Vine, pray, listen, and continually desire His council and the Word He has already spoken to us.

*Tanya
Posted by Jeremy J Harnett :: 6:17 p.m. :: 2 comments

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