GIVING OBEDIENCE

Finally, in our thoughts about giving to God, let’s remember that we can always give obedience.

What does this mean? Just that we can show love to God by doing the things that make God happy. It certainly doesn’t mean that we have to follow all of the rules in the Old Testament; Jesus came to show us a simpler way that depends on the heart. If we try to follow Jesus’ example in terms of mercy, and compassion, and love, we’ll be all right. (Of course we please God too when we show mercy, compassion, and true love to ourselves.)

This is not something to obsess about. Maybe we were harshly punished as children when we disobeyed, but God is not like that. God is true love. We don’t have to tiptoe around and worry about whether we’re toeing the line. We just need to love our Lord so much that we want to obey; ask God for help to obey; and then carry on. And when we fail—as we all do, repeatedly—all we have to do is ask to be forgiven. Again, ask God for help to obey, and then carry on.

It really is as simple as that; it’s just not always easy. Please email me (Mary.Brown@SilenceBrokenNow.org) any time.