Thursdays – Dawn’s Devotions for Writers“And being found in appearance as a man,
he humbled himself and became obedient to
death— even death on a cross!” (Philippians 2:8 NIV)
death— even death on a cross!” (Philippians 2:8 NIV)
Somewhere deep inside, we have a desire to rebel. It’s human nature.
I was a very obedient child, but as I grew older, I discovered that certain things provoked Rebellion (a wild animal living in my core) to make an appearance. Usually Rebellion surfaced because I disagreed with someone in authority, I didn’t appreciate the way a command was given, or I felt unduly blamed for something. I always managed to catch the animal before it escaped and got me into trouble, but it still caused my heart to pound and my cheeks to flush, exposing my feelings to the authority figure.
It’s not easy to be obedient to others. Most of us want control over our lives. But in most cases, like following the law, obedience is imperative in keeping order and people safe.
As Christians, we strive to obey God’s direction and will for our lives. We tithe in obedience, even when the budget is tight. We’re told obedience is rewarded. “In everything that he undertook in the service of God's temple and in obedience to the law and the commands, he sought his God and worked wholeheartedly. And so he prospered.” (Chronicles 31:21 NIV)
As writers, there are times when we must decide to obey and follow our calling—even when it’s difficult. When finances are stretched and we wonder if we should quit and get a “real” job, we find a way to continue writing. When we become discouraged because of a scathing review or rejection letter, we don’t give up. We don’t write books that dishonor God, even though our bank account would grow substantially.
Sometimes being obedient means putting down our writing for a season because God has other things for us to do or learn.
When it becomes challenging to be obedient, and we want to do things our own way, remember what it says in Philippians 2:8. If Jesus Christ, our Lord, could humble himself to be obedient—even to the point of dying on the cross for sins he never committed—we can at least try our best to be obedient and follow God’s design for our lives. :-D
