We can often think of obedience as something negative and restrictive. We might associate it with being told to do things we don’t really want to do, or we might feel resentful towards those who have some sort of authority over us. But obedience to God is totally different. Following His commands and guidance should actually feel completely joyful. Ever watched the dogs taking part in agility competitions at a dog show? (Have a look at some videos online if not.) Notice the ecstatic reaction of the dogs at the end of their run when they get back to their trainer. Left to themselves, they’d rather be off chasing things or seeking out the nearest hot dog stand. But they’ve learned to suppress their will and submit to the will of their trainer. And a good trainer achieves this by showing love to their dog. The trainer’s overjoyed when the dog’s tried its best and done what it’s been asked (even if it hasn’t been successful), and the dog’s delighted that they’ve made the trainer happy. It prefers to share in that joy that to follow its natural instincts, because that joy is just so amazing. And that’s very much like the way we should feel when we’re obedient to God. We could go off and do our own thing, but we’ll be much happier knowing we’ve followed His guidance. The psalmist probably knew this, as he wrote: ‘I take joy in doing your will, my God, for your instructions are written on my heart’ (Psalm 40:8 NLT). Obeying God wasn’t a chore to be miserable about – it was something he desired to do above everything else. Of course, we may not like the task God’s asked us to do, but we can take our joy from knowing we’re doing our Father’s will.

What Now?

Next time you’re faced with the choice of obeying God or going your own way, imagine a massive, joyful party waiting at the end of the task God’s got for you.