If you have ever had a dog, you know that obedience does not always equal love! We used to have a husky that we loved dearly. He was a hilarious dog and one of the most loyal companions you'd ever meet. However, it didn't matter how many times he got body slammed (figuratively), or how many hours of obedience training he had, if he saw another animal, he was outta there! No matter the level of electricity running through his shock collar, or how loud we were hollering for him to come back.
I don't doubt for a minute that that dog loved us. When I cried, he would literally sit--all 80 pounds of him--in my lap and lick the tears off of my face. When my husband left on what I affectionately refer to as his Man-Venture out to Colorado for a month, that dog didn't leave my side. However, this same dog once chased a goose in icy rapids for over an hour while I ran up and down the riverbank yelling at him to come back. I'm sure he loved me, but in that moment his eyes weren't fixed on me. He was distracted.
How often can we relate to him?
I love my husband so much, but it seems often that I fail to follow his direction at times because of distractions. Women, please don't stop reading to go set your bra on fire in my name. In no way am I a subservient personality who is enslaved to her husband. If anything, I think even my husband would say that I "wear the pants" in our relationship. But oftentimes I let my pride and my natural sense of leadership (some might prefer the word "bossiness") to dictate how I react. However, almost always, when I have overreacted or let my emotions get ahead of me, I regret it later.
I don't think you can regret something if your heart isn't involved.
So, follow me here. My heart is so in love with my husband that I want to be obedient to him. This doesn't mean he bosses me around and I quietly bake him muffins while he watches TV. Oh, I can't believe I could even say that entire sentence! HA! See, out of his love for me, flows a sincere desire to make decisions that benefit me. He would rather see me happy than himself.
We all do that in our relationships with the Lord, I think. Even if you are sitting there thinking, Relationship with the Lord? I haven't been in a church since Easter 20 years ago! That doesn't matter. God meets us where we are. Good thing too, because I screw up every day...and I mean royally! But, that is when I am distracted. It is incredible how when we take our eyes off of something for even a second, our loss of focus can create a disaster. However, as you start to develop a love for God, you will want to obey Him. He wants what is best for us. He doesn't take joy in seeing us hurt. He desperately wants a relationship with us. The devil is a master of distraction, so it is our job to re-focus--no matter where you are in your life--and take baby steps to address our relationships. It is out of that loving relationship (with God, your spouse, your co-workers, your neighbor, the lady you can't stand who runs your child's PTO) you will develop a desire to become obedient. It is amazing how people's perspectives change when they feel that they are genuinely loved!
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