[𝘥𝘢𝘺 𝟷𝟸 𝘰𝘧 𝘢 𝟸-𝘸𝘦𝘦𝘬 𝘴𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘴𝘱𝘪𝘳𝘪𝘵𝘶𝘢𝘭 𝘳𝘦𝘷𝘪𝘷𝘢𝘭 𝘰𝘯 𝘷𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘵𝘰𝘣𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘩𝘦𝘴.𝘤𝘰𝘮]

Have you ever been asked to follow complicated instructions to prepare your body for a medical procedure?  Reading through the list of steps, an involuntary, “they can’t be serious!?!” may have rolled off your tongue.  

No seeds or kernels for a week.  Liquid diet for days.  No food or drink for hours – except a very unpleasant concoction that causes you to spend more time than you’d like in the bathroom while your “pipes” clear out.  You begin to wonder if you will survive the preparation long enough for the procedure to take place!

It’s not easy.  It’s definitely not an experience any of us would choose, if we could avoid it.  But those instructions are necessary.  Following them is essential – no wiggle room! 

We have no choice but to comply, in order to ensure a successful test or procedure.  The technician needs to obtain a clear picture of our insides so a healthy path forward can be identified or a problem can be rectified.  

Sometimes, those same procedures are needed to clear a blockage, so nothing interferes with the flow of blood or nutrients or medications into or through our bodies.  Clean and clear pathways allow our physical bodies to function at their best, to truly thrive rather than just survive.

A few days ago, we discovered that the deepest sense of spiritual revival can be realized when we commit to personal holiness, a pure, singular devotion to GOD.  We acknowledged that we need His help to reach this level of complete surrender, handing over ownership and authority over our lives to Him alone.

We pray: “Show me the right path, O LORD, point out the road for me to follow.  Lead me by Your truth and teach me, for You are the GOD who saves me.  All day long I put my hope in You.” (Psalm 25:4-5, NLT).

He answers: “He renews my strength (refreshes/restores my soul).  He guides me along right paths (of righteousness), bringing honor to His Name.” (Psalm 23:3, NLT/NIV & ESV).

Earlier in this series, we also learned that the guidance we need comes from the Bible, GOD’s written words to us.  We find revival and renewal through the truth He speaks and the direction He provides.  But the only way we can experience the reality of His plan is to obey what He tells us, to follow His instructions.

What does it mean to obey?

• compliance with an order, request, or law
• submission to another’s authority, to Divine authority
• a deep, active response of love (not just blind compliance) and reverence to GOD’s will and commandments
• rooted in the Hebrew word “shema”, which means to hear and respond
• a commitment to put GOD’s word into effect

When the LORD lays out the path before us, as the Shepherd pictured in Psalm 23, our only right option is to listen and obey.  Any other choice can risk interrupting our close connection to Him, making it difficult for us to hear His voice.  Clogging our “pipes” with other things can distract or disrupt our journey, leading to complications He never intended.  Our only wise decision is to follow the instructions He provides.

Don’t just listen to GOD’s word.  You must do what it says.  Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves.  (James 1:22, NLT)  

How can we live in the good of the Shepherd’s care, wisdom, protection, and provision? – by heeding His voice, trusting enough to follow without question or hesitation.  

In this context, it is easier to see that obedience is not just forced compliance to an insistent, dictator-style authority.  We obey our Shepherd because we trust Him!  We place confidence in the words that He speaks because He has proven Himself to be trustworthy.  The validity and reliability of His Word stand the test of time.  Our own journey has taught us that obedience can be a sweet surrender that leads to peace, security, healing, and joy.

Now repent of your sins and turn to GOD … Then times of refreshment will come from the presence of the LORD.  (Acts 3:19-20, NLT)

Although the process of preparing for a medical procedure, like the one described above, is less than enjoyable, many people have said they love the result – when their bodies feels completely cleaned out and ready to operate at optimum efficiency.  

Obedience to GOD may involve doing hard things, too.  It may be challenging.  It may be uncomfortable, foreign.  It may feel more like destruction than the true re-building that it brings.  The process may involve stripping away build-up from unhealthy choices, depleting us until we feel empty and weak.  It will require surrender of our own will and way.  

But, we will love the result – hearts and souls cleaned out, cleared of anything that blocks nearness to our Father, open to fully receive all He wants to give us, ready to thrive in His best plan for our days.

May we come to truly delight in obedience to the Father.  That act of trust and honor for His wise authority will usher us deeper into His presence, growing in us the desire to delight His heart and further His purposes.  There is no other place we will feel more tenderly cared for or more fully alive!

I take joy in doing Your will, my GOD, for Your instructions are written on my heart.  (Psalm 40:8, NLT)