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May 18, 2021

Obedience in the Little Things

May 18, 2021 by MANDY POST OBEDIENCE Balancing ministry, family, & life Serving joyfully Fear
Obedience in the Little Things
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
Hebrews 12:1-2

Isn’t it interesting how sometimes doing the big ask from God is a no-brainer but yet the small little tasks can easily be pushed aside? Moving thousands of miles to serve the Lord and spread the Good News in an unfamiliar culture to a people not like me…sure, no problem. Loving my neighbor by sending that text message or calling that person to check up on them…um, maybe I’ll get to that tomorrow or the day after or next week. It’s a real struggle for me, this being obedient to do the little things.


It brings to mind Noah who built a giant boat but brought shame on himself in a drunken stupor and Abraham who left his home and family but lied to Pharaoh about his wife. I also think of Peter who had a clear vision of bringing the Gospel to Gentiles but stopped eating with them when his Jewish companions showed up. Living the Christian life is truly a “long obedience in the same direction” (Friedrich Nietzsche). It is “enduring the race that is set before us” (Hebrews 12:1).


When I stop to consider why obedience in the little things is so challenging for me, several reasons stand out, but they can all be summed up in one action: self-focus. Those big requirements for obedience are so big, they command my zoning in on God. The smallness of the little things doesn’t bear the same burden, and so I retreat to my natural, sinful habit of self-focus, causing fear to set in. What if the little things cause me inconvenience, heartache, or loss of approval? These selfish fears delay my obedience (which, for all purposes, is disobedience) and put a barrier on my faith journey–the race set before me. How can I endure that race on the long road of obedience if I’m focused on myself? No, I must fix my gaze on Jesus and follow His example, anticipating the joy at the end of the race. And little by little I will get there.


Now, off to send some messages!

Closing Prayer
Father, we praise you for your faithfulness. Help us to focus on you not only in the big moments in life, but especially in the little ones so we can experience your faithfulness in both. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Resources
Book: A Long Obedience in the Same Direction by Eugene Peterson The chapters on service and obedience were especially encouraging to me on this topic of obedience in the little things. If only I could daily remember that “obedience is not a stodgy plodding in the ruts of religion,” but that it is “a hopeful race towards God’s promises” (p. 163).
Song: Speak O Lord by Keith Getty and Stuart Townend I like to listen to this song at the start of a new day. It’s a sweet prayer encouraging us in our faith journey, one day at a time.
Question for Reflection

What hinders you from full obedience? How does that impact your faith journey? What helps you remove those barriers to endure the race set before you?

Comments
Mandy Post
May 18, 2021

With the help of a loving friend, I discovered that a fear of neglecting my family had become an idol and hindrance to me fully obeying and trusting God. I often used it as a crutch for bowing out of opportunities to minister. This behavior kept me from growing in my own faith and trusting the Lord with His work in the lives of my husband and children. Thankfully, talking with this friend and later talking with my husband helped me to face this fear and creatively think of ways to balance ministry and caring for my family. The fear is still there but recognizing it and calling it out helps me to turn to God and seek His help for obedience in serving Him.