Nevertheless...BELIEVE

NEVERTHELESS…Believe
by: Lori Doner Jones

Not too long ago, my daughter turned 13 and while out celebrating her entry into her teenage years I said to her, as any nervous mom with a new teenager would, “I think you and I need to enter into a covenant with each other.”  You see, I had been studying Genesis, so that word covenant sounded totally appropriate to me. I explained to her what I meant by this, and she reluctantly replied:

“Ok, but what I need from you, is to listen to me” (because apparently, I don’t do that well…)

I agreed with her terms and said, “Deal! I will agree to listen to you, and you will agree to obey me...this will be our covenant.” She was not quite convinced she was ready commit to me on this one and she said again, as though I needed clarification and had already failed to listen to her, “I will obey you, if you listen to me!” But in reality, what she meant was, ‘if you give me what I want, I will do what you want… providing that it is also what I want’.  Her obedience was conditional on her agreement.

I was relating this story to a colleague and they scoffed when they heard I had asked her to obey me, as though the word itself was unreasonable and harsh, like I was acting as her prison warden.  I think culturally we are conditioned to think the word obey is very negative. There’s a stigma attached that implies a loss of one’s self. When we think of obedience, we don't want to do it. It feels restrictive, and almost a violation as if obedience must automatically strip us of our own rights. Obedience feels like imprisonment. You can test this out by asking your husband if he would just obey you for one day and see how that goes!

I explained to my daughter that though I would listen, it didn’t mean she would get her way, I still might ask her to follow my rules, which are in her best interests. While we may in fact not agree with each other, I will always be trying to protect her and care for her - and sometimes, she might have to trust that I know what is best for her and just obey. This made me think of how I see my relationship with God. If I am truthful, I want what my daughter wants. I don’t want Him to just listen to me, I want Him to do as I wish – to answer my prayers in my way, in my time, on my terms, as if He were a genie in a bottle. I want Him to grant me, what I think are my wants and needs, and if He gives me what I want, or if I can see the outcome I desire on the other side of my obedience, maybe then I will obey.

It is interesting for me, as I listen to myself trying to teach my daughter, how God is teaching me. How He is testing me to enter the same covenant with Him – He agrees to LISTEN, and I agree to OBEY - even if it isn’t in line with my wishes.

When I ask my daughter to obey me, I feel like it should be easy for her, as I am not trying to keep her from good things, but only trying to help her develop into the very best version of herself and trying to keep her safe from harm. I think she should trust that I have her back, and perhaps, I know things she might not know, and she is safe following my lead. 

The truth is, that trust is difficult for me too.  If I expect her to trust me, why would I not trust my heavenly Father in the same way? And even more important is the fact that for me, as a parent, I might actually make some mistakes along the way, but the almighty, all-knowing God of the universe knows everything, and is incapable of making a mistake as it pertains to me, or any of us.  So, it’s up to me, to choose to obey Him, knowing that I can trust that even if I want something different, His way is better for me, and it will make me better. 

It doesn’t have to be on my terms, and if I believe, what I say I believe, I ought to know that God will keep His promises and take care of me – I don’t have to be in control.

Since I am currently studying the Old Testament, I am reminded of Abraham, and his unwavering obedience. This seemed easy for him, though his assignments were great. I think of him taking Isaac to the mountain to offer him as a sacrifice; this is a story I have always hated. But now, as I examine the text, I see a few things I didn’t understand before.

Abraham believed God. He belonged to God. He knew God had always fulfilled his promises to him and protected him. ALWAYS. Abraham was focused on the “promise” not the “obedience”. The very fact that Isaac existed was evidence that God did, as He said He would do. Abraham knew God to be faithful, so he didn’t delay; he just acted in obedience.  Somehow, I really believe Abraham thought he would walk back down that mountain with Isaac, but either way, he was determined to do what God had asked of him.  He trusted that somehow God wasn’t finished with this story – somehow, God had a bigger plan. Sometimes, God asks us to climb a mountain and offer the very thing that means the most to us. Maybe it’s our pride, or our plans and expectations of what life was supposed to be like. Sometimes He asks us to hand over control and let Him write our story and often that feels like a sacrifice we are reluctant, or unwilling to make… and yet, if He asks it of us, shouldn’t we trust that there is a purpose? Shouldn’t we act in faith and obey?

Personally, I am always focused on the obedience, not the promise. I focus all my energy on what it will take for me to do my part - what will it cost me, rather than focusing on what God has promised me, and what He’s trying to give me. Why do I assume that “obedience” will be too high a price? What I’ve learned is this: if I believe – truly believe His Word - I need to see the promise first.

I am reminded of the garden of Gethsemane when Jesus, the son who actually was sacrificed, prays – “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me, nevertheless, your will, not mine be done” (Luke 22:42). As I think on that, I am longing for the day my child would say that to me.... And I realize how difficult that is for me to say: "Nevertheless, your will, not mine be done..."

Jesus provides our example: He asks to be heard, and then, nevertheless, regardless of the answer, or the impending result, he acts in obedience, knowing that His Father knows what is best and trusting Him completely – because God has  a bigger plan…

What would it take for me to do the same? What kind of resolve is necessary for that kind of submission?

In this new year, my prayer is that I can grow towards that – as I ask my own child to obey me in her teenage years, am I prepared to obey Him in my “spiritual teenage years”? God did fulfill his promises to Abraham and these promises echo even to this day… but Abraham didn’t get to see all of the promises fulfilled in his lifetime.  And we may not either.

If we believe, what we say we believe, are we ready to trust that He will be faithful? Are you resolved to step forward in faith, no matter the cost, regardless of the journey or outcome and live set apart for Christ?

Believing in Him

Believing Him & His Word

Belonging to Him

Becoming like Him

This is true Revival.

Lori Doner Jones attends Springvale Church and leads a teaching ministry called REVIVE which endeavours to provide women who are called to teach and speak an opportunity. REVIVE challenges women to seek God with determined purpose; to awaken a generation of women who really, authentically believe, what we SAY we believe and are ready to live, transformed for His Glory. Lori is also a wife of almost 20 years and a mother of two sweet daughters, age 14 and 12.  To learn more about Revive, access devotionals written by the Springvale/ REVIVE team, or view our current video series see www.readyforrevival.ca