Obedience

When you think of Moses in the Bible, what images or ideas does this man bring to mind?

For me, I first think of Charlton Heston because of watching The Ten Commandments when I was growing up.  When I get to heaven, I’ll look for CH, knowing it’s Moses.  For me, those men are one in the same.

Seriously, when I think of Moses, I remember the incredible leader he was, but I so recall his hesitancy to answer God’s call.  He wasn’t like Noah who immediately obeyed God and did “all he was asked or commanded”.  Moses argued with God.  He pretty much told God he had the wrong guy and couldn’t someone else (possibly his brother) do the job.

How about you?  Ever felt like God called you to do some job or task that was way out of your comfort zone?

Well, that’s me.  God has been calling me for too many years to count. I hear the Holy Spirit say, “write for me”.  I don’t totally know what that entails, but I’m finally trying to be obedient.

I’ve tried before.  Submitted an article for publication, and it was rejected.  It hurt, but I wasn’t devastated.  I felt relieved, in fact, because I had written and been obedient.

Normally, I’m a fairly compliant child and want to obey the Lord.  But for some reason, I’ve struggled with this assignment the Lord has given me.

You see, I started out as an English major in college.  My goal was to return to my former high school and be an incredible English teacher that turned her students’ world upside down because she was so phenomenal.  I won all kind of awards in English in high school.  Then, freshmen English class came and reality hit.  Papers, short stories and other writings in high school always received A’s or A+++s….and I received glowing comments from my teachers.  But it was a slap in the face that first September of my freshmen year when I had C’s and D’s at the top of my paper….and tons of red comments littered the page.  But I persevered.  I took my professor’s comments to heart and tried to improve.  I wanted to improve.  Once I completed the core requirements, I signed up for an upper level English course, the first real class in my major.  Less than two weeks.  That’s all it took.  As I arrived in class one day, I looked around.  I noticed each person — their personality, their interests, their strengths.  I didn’t have much in common with these folks.  Most of them LOVED the literature and had a PASSION for all of these weird authors.   Not me.  And during this time, I had been praying.  Praying for God to show me and change my course of direction if I wasn’t supposed to be an English major.  I had known since I was about 8 or 10 years of age that He called me to teach.  Ask any of my neighborhood friends.  They would tell you as well.  Whenever we played “school”, I always had to be the teacher.

Anyway, I digress.  I was at a crossroads.  I sought the Lord and part of his answer came that morning in class.  I knew this track wasn’t for me.  I stayed in the class…and worked harder for my grade of “C” than I had ever worked for an “A”.  My professor and adviser was shocked when I went to see her and told her I was changing majors.  She couldn’t understand “why”, even though HER comments were the ones that lined my paper – and never did she offer any encouragement.  Leaving her office that day, I still remember the feeling of discouragement, bewilderment and relief.

I was changing my major to Middle Grades.  I was a little nervous, but I knew God had lead me to this area….I knew I loved the kiddos more than the subject matter.

Why do I share this story?  I don’t know if those feelings of inadequacy are why I’ve struggled with this assignment.  Maybe it’s fear of failure. Part of me thinks I will write, and no one will read it or think it’s “good enough”.

In addition, I’m not sure what HE wants me to write.  Is it articles, Lord?  How about a children’s book?  I’ve always dreamed of that!!  What about a blog?  Not even sure yet what a blog is. 

All I know is I think we all have this in common as believers. It’s universal if you are HIS child. The Lord asks us to do things way out of our comfort zone.  I’m through offering excuses.  I’m through telling HIM He’s got the wrong gal.  Maybe it’s to stretch my faith and depend on HIM more.  Maybe it’s to humble me.  Maybe I need to write something for at least one person to read.  Whatever the case, I’m doing the hard work.  No turning back. 

I’ve struggled to get going, even after making the decision to start writing.  As only the Lord can do, as I opened my Bible this morning to have my quiet time, this verse was one of the first that I read:  “I will hasten and not delay to obey your commands.”  Psalm 119:60  Think that was coincidence?  Me either. 

What is it that you need to obey that God’s called you to, my friend?

Perhaps it’s just forgiving a family member or someone who has wounded you severely.

Maybe He wants you to talk with a co-worker who is lost.

Or is it letting go and giving Him your burdens?

Maybe it’s just reading your Bible daily and listening to Him daily.

I pray for you to follow the example of Moses and be obedient.  He’s always been one of my heroes in the faith.  And I identify even more with him now.  When I get to heaven, I’ll look for Moses and Charlton….after Jesus, Dad and Mom and many other special loved ones.  More later. Thanks for tuning in.