Blessings of obedience

Well, I am writing this nearly a week later than I intended too (. . . actually, no- no I'm not.  I intended to write this Sunday night, and today is ONLY FRIDAY.  That's the kind of week this has been. . . sometimes you buy a ticket for the struggle bus, sometimes you ride it accidentally, and sometimes it just runs you over mercilessly).  I mentioned in the last post about Grace Life, the church plant with whom I am currently co-laboring.  I can't begin to explain the blessing I have had being there.  This past week was my fifth time there, and, well, clearly time is meaningless to me for right now anyway, but it doesn't feel like it has only been that long (yet at the same time if I start to think about anything except the immediate past then it feels much shorter- my first Sunday was after VBS #2, and that seems like it was only a few weeks ago.  Probably because it was).  Beyond the friendships, challenging messages, and encouragement, there is something even greater I am gaining from this: the understanding of the significance of immediate obedience.

You see, the morning before I got that e-mail, I had been pleading with God for provision.  In fact I had been doing that for some time.  I didn't have a job lined up, didn't even have interviews on the horizon.  I was enjoying VBS but outside of that things were difficult.  So with the Spirit's prompting I crafted an e-mail that morning before I got to the leader meeting that I sent to UNF and to Jacksonville University advertising myself as an accompanist for hire (which, keep in mind, "I would never work as a pianist full-time"- Me.  "LOL yes you will." -God).  When I got home from VBS, there was an e-mail from Trinity Baptist College about a church looking for a music ministry intern.  I had gotten several of these types of e-mails throughout the summer, but I went ahead and read it anyway.  I didn't feel like it was really describing me as far as what they were ultimately looking for, but the thing that stuck out was that they had no one to lead music that Sunday (as in, several days from the e-mail being sent).  I almost left it alone, but once again, the Spirit wasn't going to let me let that go.  So essentially I responded with "hey, I'm not your guy but I can come help you out for a few weeks if you can't find someone else."  Cue an e-mail conversation that ended with me agreeing to meet with the pastor Thursday after VBS at a coffee shop.

(Side-note: within an hour or so of the conversation with Matt, I got a reply from JU asking me to come meet with them)

You can look at the previous post for more details on what happened after that, but again I will tout: immediacy in obedience produces much fruit.

1 Samuel 15:22-23:  And Samuel said, “Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord?  Behold,  to obey is better than sacrifice, and to listen than the fat of rams.  For rebellion is as the sin of divination, and presumption is as iniquity and idolatry.  Because you have rejected the word of the Lord, He has also rejected you from being king.”

Do we let our church ritual become greater than obeying God's command during the week?
Do we allow our checkbook to be the only contribution to evangelism?
Do we purposefully avoid God's intent for us in a specific situation because we think there's a better/easier/more comfortable solution?
Do we assume that as long as we are not being actively disciplined by God then we are doing everything right?
Are we attentive everyday for opportunities to listen to and obey God?

Samuel has offered some harsh words for us.  Me included.  Especially after this week.

We have to remember it's not just about doing all the things- it's our heart that He is after.  We can't glorify God if we aren't loving Him with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength.