Hmmm.....

Just read the following excerpt from "The Purpose Driven Life", and it made me stop and think....

Hmm...

"Every parent knows that delayed obedience is really disobedience. God doesn't owe you and explanation or reason for everything he asks you to do. Understanding can wait, but obedience can't. Instant obedience will teach you more about God than a lifetime of Bible discussions. In fact, you will never understand some commands until you obey them first. Obedience unlocks understanding."

Hmm...

"Understanding can wait, but obedience can't"
"Obedience unlocks understanding."

These two statements really challenge me. Particularly my scientific mentality and approach to things. My natural tendency as a scientist is to understand the implications, consequences and ramifications of any decision or action that has to be made before committing to it. I need to weigh up the pros and cons. Understand what energy and efforts are required. What resources will I require? How long will it take? What will it cost me? What will I gain? What can go wrong? Have I covered every possible avenue? Not until these questions and more are satisfied and fulfilled that I am often able to commit and "obey". I need to know what I'm getting myself into.

I can't help it. I'm not a naturally instinctive and impulsive person. Spontaneity has it's place, but so does responsibility.

I don't mean that I am totally robotic and nerdy to approach every aspect of life using the Scientific Method. But to an extent I do, particularly with regard to matters of significance, importance, responsibility and committment.

These two statements really really challenge my thinking and approach. They are soooo contradictory to everything I've thought of before.

"Obedience unlocks understanding"

As I think and meditate on this as I write this. The underlying issue here is not a lack of obedience on my part, but rather that of faith and trust or lack thereof. Not that I don't trust God to know what is best, and to sustain and carry me through whatever he has in store for me. But rather that I ofetn trust Him enough to obey "blindly".

Of course I know that it's not really obeying "blindly", because I have confidence and assurance in God's unchanging sovereignty.

"Now faith is being sure of what we hope for, and certain of what we do not see" - Heb 11:1

"without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him." - Heb 11:6

"I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End" - Rev 22:13

I know all these, yet my proud and stubborn self insists still in relying on my own intellect, strength and "wisdom" to assess and "understand" a situation or command from God before committing to taking the plunge.

I desire to have the attitude of David as he says...

"GOD, teach me lessons for living
so I can stay on course.
Give me insight so that I can do what you tell me --
my whole life, one long obedient response." - Ps 113:33-34 (The message)