Obedience Flowing from Love

On a fall November day in 1997 she took a walk around Colby Lake. Fully anticipating God speaking, giving her something to go and obey. Armed with an assignment from her Experiencing God  bible study, she was ready.

But as she walked, He had something else, something more in mind. Geese flew overhead. She slowed her pace, letting in the amazement that they are created to fly south. They know the cold Minnesota winter is coming. The creation around her prompted a chain of thoughts. And the thoughts led to worship of the one who created it all.

And then came His whisper:

“I love you. I love you just like I did when you were nine years old. You do not have to prove your worth to me.”

Tears flooded. She remembered the nine-year old girl, praying with her mom. Saying yes to a life of following Jesus. The surprise at the peace and joy that settled in her soul.

Tears flooded. Because until that moment she hadn’t realized how hard she was trying to earn grace. How restrictive she had relegated the freedom of the gospel.

Tears flooded and she stuck out her hand. She grasped His, invisible to the world around her. I’m sure they were a sight to see.  A thirty year old woman smiling and crying and holding an invisible hand.

They kept walking around the lake. She poured out those years that she walked in a distant from Him. Yes, even those He said. I love you.

But these last couple of years, she wondered. “I’ve been doing so much for you. Every bible study. Every church event. Never missing a quiet time. Surely you love me more, like this?”

“I love you. Always.”

Could it be true? She spent the next years learning, still learning, the depths of its truth.

“I run in the paths of your commands for you have set my heart free.”

Psalm 119:32

Over 15 years ago. But as I recount that story today, I am there in an instant. I can see the sky and hear the sounds. My body can remember what it felt like to know forgiveness deep in its bones. To taste love’s extravagant banquet.

As I’ve been mulling over obedience in preparing for this series, my thoughts centered on obedience having two main components.

1. Knowing what God has said.

2. Acting on it.

Yet my heart keeps pulling me back. A voice that says there’s more. There has to be a starting place. A square one. Who is this One we are called to obey? What is His character?

This morning the memory of walking around Colby Lake came to mind. Right smack dab in the middle of praying about things unrelated. The voice of love called me back. Back to Him. Back to the vine.

He reminded me, obedience is not:

• Performance
• Doing more, trying harder
• Earning a badge for good behavior.
• A result of guilt nor fear

Obedience is all about relationship. Obedience is from love.

He is our starting point. Obedience flows out of our relationship with Him. Obedience doesn’t occur in a vacuum, separated from communion.

He is the vine. When my obedience is isolated from the vine, it shrivels up. It becomes bitter. Hardened. A score to keep.

But when I’m attached to the life-giving vine, obedience flows from love. Not some store-bought or religiously manufactured love. Love that is substantive and often messy. Love that is alive. Love that is strong, safe and protective. Love that calls out all that is good and beautiful. Love that walks tenderly around a lake.

It is the Love that created the world, sacrificed on the cross and conquered death. It’s not a love that wants a checked off list, it wants your heart. And will give you his.

It is there that Love sets my heart free. It loosens the restrictions and bondage of language. It beckons come run in the path of these commands.

That Love. That crazy, wild, bursting out of the box Love, it is to that Love I give my obedience.

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 I’m anticipating having conversation with you all on Crazy Obedience for the month of February!  When my friend Amanda, The Cadence of a Conquering Housewife, shared the topic that was stirring in her heart, I was excited. Once I started writing, the enthusiasm has grown even more. Once I read the ponderings of those who joined the facebook group, I knew she was on to something important and, well, crazy. Can’t wait to journey with four other bloggers!

If you missed the intro post, please read it here.

If you would like to participate in the facebook group, go here.

Please click on the box below to link to the other four writers who are writing on Crazy Obedience this month. You will encouraged and challenged and loved.

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Linking with my favorite Monday link-ups: Playdates with God and Hear it on Sunday, Use it on Monday

As well as Jennifer Dukes Lee’s new link up Tell His Story.