Delayed Obedience
But this command I gave them: ‘Obey my voice, and I will be your God, and you shall be my people. And walk in all the way that I command you, that it may be well with you. Jeremiah 7:23
I attended the Future of Christendom conference this past weekend. I learned a lot. I got challenged about some work for the Lord, and I heard the enthusiasm of many others as they talked about how they had been spurred on to love and good works (Hebrews 10:24-25). Those are not their words, but my interpretation.
As the last session was breaking up, one of the organizers made the point that the only way to judge the success of this conference would be to see people leave there and put their new knowledge and challenges to work for the growth of the Kingdom of God.
Most of us sat through six teaching times and a Sunday morning sermon (which, if you are concerned about Facebook interactions you should check out this sermon: “Clash of the Kingdoms”). Then, there was time to listen to great theological and practical conversations as people truly stirred the minds and hearts of one another in one-on-one or group conversations.
It was thought provoking and challenging. People like me came away feeling like we do little for the Lord compared to others. (In His grace, God reminded me that other people are not His standard!) It takes the whole body of Christ to accomplish real growth for His Kingdom. Not everyone will set the world on fire for the Lord. Praise God, he doesn’t expect us to. What He expects is that we will work in the little corner where He has placed us, using all the gifts He has given us.
Conferences energize and equip us to do the work of the Lord. However, they are not required for us to know what He wants us to do. He is usually pretty clear about how He has gifted us and where He wants us to be.
The real question is whether or not we will obey His marching orders as soldiers of the Lord.
I left the conference with interesting ideas. I will pray about which ones I am supposed to just be interested in and which are for me to do. When God shows me which works are mine, or are to be shared with my husband or my church, then, I/we will have to act.
From Deuteronomy 11 we clearly understand that God blesses obedience and curses disobedience. I know I/we can’t put off acting on theses challenges forever. In the next chapter He says, “Be careful to obey all these words that I command you, that it may go well with you and with your children after you forever, when you do what is good and right in the sight of the LORD your God.” (Deuteronomy 12:28)
“Delayed obedience is disobedience.” The truth of Deuteronomy 12:28 is that the work God calls us to is not just for our benefit – the consequences of our obedience and/or disobedience will pass on to our children, and their children, and their children.
Is there something that you or I have been commanded to do that we have not done (or started) yet? Let’s pray for the next step…and obey, for God’s glory, our own good, and the good of future generations.