“You can’t tell me what to do!” Choice words from a younger sibling hung in the air waiting to be refuted. I’m sure I reasoned that I was doing my parents a favor by reminding my sister and brother of what they were supposed to be doing (or not doing) at the time but they never seemed to appreciate my efforts. Instead, I’d hear, “You’re not the boss of me! I’m telling Mom!”
No one enjoys being told what to do. That’s what makes parenting so incredibly difficult! From the moment our little ones begin to assert themselves, the struggle to guide them while keeping them safe and training them for independence is a monumental task. Every “because I said so” is a distress signal. Wills collide and mom is at a loss for words.
This is an age old struggle. It began in a perfect garden with a piece of forbidden fruit where reason won out over truth. God the Father, Giver of every good and perfect gift, had one simple rule. You may eat from any tree of the garden save one. From the moment the serpent cast a shadow of doubt, Eve couldn’t see all of God’s good gifts, only the one rule. She made her choice. (Genesis 3:6)
Since that moment, sin has reigned in the hearts of man (Romans 6:12) but God the Father came as a man so that once again, you and I have a choice. We can choose to live free from sin’s reign. (Romans 8:2) Jesus, God in human flesh, lived a perfectly obedient life. He chose the Way of the Father down to the last detail. (John 17:4) He was killed on a cross and buried but He rose again on the third day, defeating sin and death once for all time. (I Corinthians 15:3-4) His death and resurrection restored right relationship with God to all who believe. (John 1:12)
Because of what Jesus did, you and I have a choice. We can assert ourselves, our rights, our wills and go about life as we choose, or we can recognize the Giver of every good and perfect gift (James 1:17) by choosing gratitude for His gifts and by honoring His rule.
Jesus, who said “all who love me obey my commands,” (John 14:15) also said,
“Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”
Matthew 11:28-30 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/mat.11.28-30.NLT
The choice to believe Him (or not) is yours. Don’t let reason win over truth.
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding.”
Proverbs 3:5 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/pro.3.5.NLT
I’ve made my choice.
Everyday worship.
Praise every day.
Lifting my hands to the Ancient of Days.
Daily surrender.
Daily release.
Not mine, but Your will, Lord.
Do as You please.
Yours is the kingdom,
Your power,
Your call.
I am Yours, Savior.
I give You my all.
A Fitting Reply 