Obedience: Good or Bad?

When you hear the word obedience, what comes to mind? Mindless slaves who do their master's bidding? A naughty child crying in the corner because of his failure to do what was asked or expected? A voiceless wife who is submissive, subservient and tame? Does it muster up imageries of chains, rules, prison, or a wearisome existence void of fun and excitement? Perhaps words like safety, security and tranquility come to mind? A peaceful life, the joy that comes with making the one you love happy because you've done what they've asked?

Whichever side you choose to align yourself with, there is one common truth which befalls every last one of us: everyone is obedient to someone or something.

Whether it be peace or anarchy, you obey some type of belief system that ultimately guides your every decision. The ironic part is, that in truth, obedience is non-negotiable and freewill is an illusion. If we align ourselves with someone/thing that sets the mores of our belief and value system, then complete adherence is expected. We cannot pick and choose when to be obedient or which laws/rules to obey because they either suit our needs or don't. If our thinking becomes, "It's my life. I'll do whatever I want, when I want," picking and choosing which command/law/rule/ideal to be obedient to, how then can we ever consider ourselves to be reliable and dependable? If you want to be counted as a trustworthy person, it must be demonstrated within your actions. It is essential that you are obedient to the one/thing you have aligned yourself with consistently, willingly and wholeheartedly. Though we stumble and fall (in my case, quite often), take heart! As long as we are moving forward and trying our best, learning from our mistakes so as not to repeat them, we are getting closer to consistently living out our beliefs, as is expected and presupposed upon initial alignment.

One last thing to consider: If you have aligned yourself with a belief system or someone that neither honors nor cherishes you, you might want to rethink that attachment. I promise you that you matter! You are supposed to be loved, adored and respected. If anyone/thing in your life tells you otherwise, know that it is a lie and you need to reject those thoughts and beliefs. If you aren't aware, there is a true friend who loves you more than you'll ever know. He will respect, honor, love and adore you as you should be. I would like to introduce you to Him; His name is Jesus.

#obedience #safety