Learning to Walk in Wild Obedience

So often “obedience” is a four-letter word in our minds, no? The word conjures up images of getting in trouble, or grudgingly following a set of rules. It’s restrictive. Limiting. It gets in the way of doing what we want in life. The very existence of the word carries with it memories of times we have been dis-obedient: That time we failed to keep our word, failed to follow the rules, failed to do what we know is right.

We hear talk about being obedient and we cringe. We wince at having to admit we’ve fallen short. Or maybe we pretend that what we’re already doing is “good enough” to count as being obedient and we fool ourselves into believing obedience doesn’t apply to us, only to our children or our dogs…

But what if we’ve got it all wrong? What if obedience is something we should passionately pursue and seek with all our hearts? Because here’s the thing:

 

What if obedience equals freedom?

 

What if those restrictions and limitations free us from worry and stress and overload? What if simple daily acts of obedience mean living a life of abundance? What if the key to unlocking the plan God has for us is listening, following, and learning to be OBEDIENT to His direction?

“My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.”
-John 10:27 NKJV

 

“Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.”
-Matthew 4:19 NIV

 

I’ve got to be truthful, I have a love/hate relationship with rules, boundaries, and limitations… (Yes, I learned that from Caesar Milan, The Dog Whisperer). I love rules & boundaries in theory, but in practical reality, I balk at having them in my life. More and more, though, I’ve come to realize whether we’re talking about dogs, or kids, or any of us really, it is our rules, boundaries, and limitations which set the stage for success, happiness, and freedom. They keep us safe, and make the wide, wide world just a little bit “smaller” and easier to navigate. They free us from being overloaded with worry and stress. And when you get down to it, what are rules, boundaries, and limitations but guidelines for obedience?

What if, by avoiding obedience, or pretending as if we’ve already got it covered, we’re simply fooling ourselves into living a life that is less than what God has in store for us? Now that thought truly makes me wince, and drives me to want to learn how to better walk Wildly in Obedience.

How, exactly, does walking in obedience create for us a better life? Let’s think of it like this: When my kids have rules to obey (let’s say a certain bedtime…), they get enough sleep to have the energy to enjoy a fabulously fun day when they awake. When there are boundaries in place (let’s say riding bikes in the long driveway, but not past the lampposts…) they know where they can play safely, so they spend time having fun instead of worrying about passing cars. When there are limitations in place (let’s say not having a steady diet of soda, chips, and chocolate cake…) they avoid making themselves sick by indulging in too much of a good thing.

God’s rules, boundaries, and limitations… They’re good for us in precisely the same ways. Obedience is a necessity which leads us to the lives God has planned for us. So let’s stop treating it like a nasty four-letter word. Let’s embrace it, because there’s no “what if?” about it. We need to passionately pursue obedience and seek Him with all our hearts.

Because here’s the thing: Obedience IS a four letter word:
Obedience = LOVE

Want to learn to walk in Wild Obedience with me?

What’s ONE Thing you will do today as an act of wild obedience?

 

Psst… We’d love it if you’d spread the #WildObedience word… Here are a few quick and easy ways:

1. Comment! Leave a comment below with your act of wild obedience

2. Share! Share this post (and your act of wild obedience) on Twitter or Facebook
Use the hashtag #DeclareConf or #WildObedience

3. Bring a Friend! Challenge a friend to walk with in wild obedience with you

4. Instagram! Post a picture of an act of #WildObedience