I was reading this morning in Matthew 26 and I was impacted by verses 17-19.
“Now on the first day of Unleavened Bread the disciples came to Jesus and asked,
“Where do You want us to prepare for You to eat the Passover?” And He said,
“Go into the city to a certain man, and say to him, ‘The Teacher says, “My time is near;
I am keeping the Passover at your house with My disciples.” ’ ” The disciples did
as Jesus had directed them; and they prepared the Passover.” (Matthew 26:17-19)
What struck me was how the instructions Jesus gave to the disciples were both vague in one respect and very specific in another. Jesus told them, “Go into the city TO A CERTAIN MAN…” How’s that for vague?! I’d be like, “What man, Jesus? What’s his name? Where’s he live? How will I find him? I need details!!”. Then Jesus told them, “…say to him, the Teacher says, ‘My time is near. I am keeping passover at your house with My disciples.” Now that’s a pretty specific message! Isn’t it? So what did the disciples do in response to the vague yet specific directive of Jesus?
The disciples did as Jesus directed them. They obeyed, despite the “vague” part. How often I feel the Spirit’s urge, but because I don’t have all the details, I drag my feet, putting off obedience (which is a nice way of saying “being disobedient” sigh). This blog actually comes to mind. How longgggggg I didn’t “go” when God was saying “go”. And even now that I took the first step, I still wonder what my “destination” will be. But you know what? I am learning it’s in the “not knowing” that I learn more about God’s character as He reveals the details step by step, AND I’m also learning that “not knowing” keeps me in a position of dependance on HIM, and not on my own understanding.
What is coming to mind is an old hymn (Trust and Obey) from my childhood. It’s not so much the lyrics of the song, but the title that really gave me a lightbulb moment. Obedience and trust are directly connected. The fact that I “drag my feet” to obey God sometimes reflects the level of trust I have for Him, whether I want to acknowledge it or not. There would be no delayed obedience if I truly trust what He says in His Word. That’s such an OUCH to my soul.
Oh Lord, I’m so sorry for the times that I fail to obey you. I know that delayed obedience is disobedience. Please forgive me and help me, through the power of Your Spirit within me, to get out of my own way and just do what You say, when You say it, how You say it.
If you’re like me and need to realign your thinking and feelings concerning what God has been telling you to do, here are some verses I have chosen to focus on, instead of focusing on the vagueness of some of the things God tells me to do.
GOD HAS A PLAN
“For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works,
which God prepared beforehand so that we should walk in them.”
~~Ephesians 2:10~~
GOD GOES WITH ME
“…I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
~~Matthew 28:20~~
GOD’S STRENGTH, NOT MINE
“I can do all things through Him who gives me strength”
~~Philippians 4:13~~
If you’re struggling with truly trusting the Lord, please feel free to share with me how I can pray for you. It helps to share your doubts and fears with someone and to be encouraged and to be supported by them. Remember, we are in this together!