I have a makeup mirror in my bathroom that has two different types of mirrors. On one side is the regular mirror, but the other side has a magnified type. The magnified mirror shows clearly all the lines and imperfections on my face. As I began to read this scripture "but so that the world may know that I love the Father, I do EXACTLY as the Father commanded Me" John 14:31 I began thinking, what am I reflecting to the world?
Women in our church just completed doing a Bible Study called "Discerning the Voice of God". We learned so many wonderful things but two that stand out was "God doesn't just speak to be heard, He speaks to be obeyed", and "we must make obedience a habit regardless of our feelings". You may ask, why is obedience so important to God and why is it a priority?
God says "If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word" John 14:23. That should be enough to make us want to obey every time He asks and immediately. But then Jesus tells us in John 14:31(above) that we obey God so the world can see we love God. How else would they be able to know Him if we don't show them that our love for God comes through obeying Him.
If we live in obedience our every day lives would reflect so much to this world. We would reflect contentment and joy in every situation. We would not fear for fear is not of God. We would love our enemies. No need would go unmet. There would be no bitterness, anger, jealousy, or envy reflecting in our lives for He tells us not to let those feelings into our lives. Our lives would bear much fruit. We would love one another was He loves us.
Obedience to God brings us peace, joy, courage, purpose, oneness with theFather.
Obedience to God reflects truth, righteousness, guidance, perfection in unity and brings glory to Him.
Remember the saying from Snow White, "mirror, mirror on the wall whose the fairest of them all"?
What are you reflecting to the world? The next time you look into the mirror, would you ask yourself "am I obeying God". Ask Him to show you how and when you do not obey.
Here are some words to an old hymn I have been singing since doing this study.....trust and obey for there's no other way, to be happy in Jesus, than to trust and obey!
obedience is better than sacrifice,
sharon
