Welcome to the first RTC Blog Carnival.
The idea is simple. Anyone and everyone who wants to join in just needs to write a blog post on the word ‘OBEDIENCE’. (This was inspired by Bridget Chumbley’s One Word at a Time blog – credit for picking the word ‘obedience’ goes to Ginny from Make a Difference to One)
What does Obedience mean to you? What is God saying to you about Obedience? Do you have any funny stories about Obedience? Whatever you want to write about obedience is fine.. just write your post and then share a link to it using the funky Mister Linky widget below.
You can check out what all the other carnivalees (is that even a word?) have written by clicking on their links in Mister Linky. My post is below, if you’d like to read it!
_________________________
My post: One Word at a Time – Obedience
One of my favorite bloggers is that awesome pastorly dude, Trey Morgan (Twitter, Blog).
On Sunday, Trey tweeted:
Really poured my heart into this morning’s sermon. Wish I would have known so many were going to miss, I would have saved it for a later 🙁
I love his honesty but there is also something to be learned from that statement about obedience.
Pastors often find that God lays something on their hearts to preach about and they decide to hold it off until a ‘better’ time.
It can be very tough when you have an awesome message and there are people who you really think need to hear that message that you know won’t be there. It’s so easy to start second-guessing God’s timing. When that happens, although he may be telling you to preach it that week, it can be very tempting to think you know better than God and essentially disobey his direction for you to preach it when he says to.
It’s these ‘little’ acts of disobedience which are so much harder to control in your own life – and can even be harder to notice.
If an angel was to appear before you and tell you that God wants you to move to Borneo and plant a church there, it would be very obvious to you whether you were obeying or disobeying. You either say YES or NO. Simple.
However, when God whispers in your ear on Sunday morning, “Tell your pastor that you appreciate him/her” and you put it off a few days (or weeks), it’s not quite so easy to see that you’re being disobedient. After all, you’re just “trying to find the right time”.
I am glad that Trey Morgan preached the message God gave him even though it felt to him like there could have been a better week to preach it – and I’m very glad that he was so open about his feelings because it’s these little acts of obedience which are so important.
Being obedient in the small things is every bit as important as being obedient in the ‘big’ things. Obedience builds character and relationship with God.
Jesus preached more than once about how those who prove themselves trustworthy with the small things (read, ‘those who are OBEDIENT with the small things’) will be given more.
Personally, I’d much prefer that when I face my maker on judgement day he says, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” than, “well, you were a cantankerous, disobedient little one, weren’t you?”
Do you find it easier to be obedient in the small things or the big things? Or is it a bit of both?
I know this was a hard topic to write about– it was for me, too! But it was timely for me. God held a mirror up to my face as I was writing this blog. And reading yours was a blessing, too. Thanks, Peter!
… You get to choose the word next time. This one was hard. Perhaps something like cupcakes or puppies…
How about submission. I once used the phrase "I let my husband be in charge" (I wasn't making fun of him, but actually stating that I my assent to his leadership in our home) and my friend claimed that attitude isn't truly submissive. I say that if she is right, then I am clueless as to what it means…It's not like I can just totally toss out free will…
No hard feelings if you think that topic is too hot to handle.
Peter, if even one person needed to hear that sermon…that is why he preached it when he did!
Great post, great idea, thanks for hosting! It was a difficult word, but I'm excited to see what everyone wrote about!
Peter, I just read all the posts up to this point. Wow. I've learned and re-learned a few things. Thanks Bro for hosting the Blog Carnival.
Thanks for the blog carnival, Peter. This was a lot of fun. Stretched me. I can't wait to read everyone's posts. Your last line was priceless. I giggled, but it is so true.
Ugh, that was hard…not just to come up with something, but to look at something my rebellious little heart doesn't do so easily! And please, don't do submission next! I second puppies and cupcakes! 🙂
The secret to joining your carnival is to not read all of the others' posts first. They are awesome! Next time, pick a one syllable word, and I'll join in. Until then, I've enjoyed these posts, and to that I say "ham sandwich." Thanks, Peter!
I learned from my last pastor that true obedience is characterized by three things. It is:
– immediate
– thorough
– cheerful
I'd add to this that we need certain character qualities to display these.
We obey immediately because we have respectful fear.
We obey thoroughly because we have understanding.
We obey cheerfully because we have love.
Look at you, you're a fantastic ring master in your first blog carnival! Loved your post and am looking forward to reading everyone else's take on obedience! You da man, Peter!
Is being the ring master something like being the Key Master or the Gate Keeper?
🙂
Thanks, Katdish.. I'm off to read your post
Excellent thoughts, Peter! You’re so right whispers and shouts are totally different, but you have to consider the source. If it comes from His mouth, it is worth full acceptance and obedience even if it doesn’t make sense to our pea-sized brains. 🙂 Love it.
This has been so cool, Peter! I loved reading everyone's take on the topic.
i believe that obedience is just like a ladder. you start with something small then when you get used to obeying God in those little things, He takes you to the next level, and on and on.
many people are amazed whenever they hear of someone who really obeys God in their major life decisions. they often ask: "how come you were so sure about it?" "how did you know it was the right thing to do?" what they don't know is that the person is so used to hearing God in the little things. When God tells him to do something major, obedience is no longer an issue for him because that's his normal reaction to the voice of God
Hi Peter,
As seems to be the norm for me lately, "I'm a day late". Good stuff…I think you are on to something here! 🙂
Peter, I guess one 'word' wasn't enough for me this time… I need a part II. LOL
A Pain In The Neck http://www.melindalancaster.com/2009/10/pain-in-n…
God teaches me big lessons during every day life experiences…like physical therapy.