Obedience

“There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love”. 1 John 4:18


I fear a lot of things. Being healthy, having enough money, the physical and spiritual wellbeing of my family… but most of all I fear not being obedient to God. And not just in ignorance but deliberately turning my back to what he asks me to do.

I sing whole heartedly in worship – I will go where you go, I will follow where you lead --- but in the quiet honesty of my heart, I know it’s not true.

Yes if my children were struck down with a terminal illness, if my husband and I lost our jobs, if my house burned down – I would go running after God – begging for His provisions.

But those things are rare – and hopefully only maybe once a lifetime occurrences.

What I am talking about – are the quiet whispers, the gentle nudges – God initiates daily to us. “share me with your colleague, reach out to the friend who hurt you, give money to that stranger, invite your neighbor to bible study”.

Maybe for you obedience comes easy in these things – but for me… these are the hardest. Living daily my faith. Putting feet to what he tells us to do.

1 John 4:18 says the one who fears is not made perfect in my love. This verse troubled me. Because I fear, am I not made perfect by the ONE who gave it all, the ONE who died for me, the ONE who promises me eternal life and relationship?

I was questioning my faith or lack thereof, my “in”action, my fears… and then the phrase “made perfect” reminded me of another scripture….

2 Corinthians 12:9 (New International Version, ©2010) 9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.
Hebrews 10 11Day after day every priest stands and performs his religious duties; again and again he offers the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. 12 But when this priest had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, 13 and since that time he waits for his enemies to be made his footstool. 14 For by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy.

God knew I couldn’t do it on my own when He offered His Son. He knew before I even put two feet on this earth that I would need his Holy Spirit to strengthen me and work through me.

Because he sacrificed for me – I want to daily sacrifice to Him – knowing that it is not MY actions but HIS that have made me perfect. I sacrifice my fears DAILY, I confess my WEAKNESS in order that HE be glorified, and not myself.

I pray for HIS Strength in this cracked vessel to glorify Himself. I offer my family, my career, my life to be whatever he desires for Him.

It is only because of His sacrifice = I can be made perfect in Love. And my prayer changes from “I can’t because I am weak” to “I CAN because you made me strong.”



Jesus loves me this I know,

For the Bible tells me so

Little ones to Him belong,

I am WEAK… BUT….

He is Strong!!