There is an old story that has been told. It's about a father and his son - perhaps you've heard your own version of this. The boy was out playing by the tree, laughing and running about when the father suddenly goes out into the yard and tells the boy - "STOP. Don't move another muscle." The boy immediately stops and the father grabs a baseball bat and slowly moves toward the boy. He raises the bat above his head and just as he reaches the boy, he brings the bat down hard on the ground. The boy is a bit stunned, but realization begins to show in his eyes as he sees his father reach down and pick up the now-dead snake in front of the boys' feet that was getting ready to bite his son.
It's a story of obedience. I can tell you right now that my kids - all four of them - would've been rushed to the hospital for venom removal. The minute I hollered to stop, I would've gotten a "why do I have to stop?" or a "but I wasn't done playing yet." Obedience is an importan
t trait - one that has apparently been a struggle for some time.The angel appeared before Zechariah and told him what was to be done. Did Zechariah just listen and follow instruction? Noooo, he had to ask questions and insinuate the angel was lying. I don't think that was a very smart idea - especially since the angel pulled an Ursula and took away Zechariah's voice.
I wonder if God gets tired of us saying "Why?" I wonder how important it is for God to hear us say - "yes, Lord - I will" - no matter how crazy it sounds. If that son had not listened to his father - surely he would have been bitten. Sometimes the same is true of us - if we do not listen to God's Word and obey (Just Do It) - we are surely bitten.
3 comments:
I can feel the bites now. I need to forget about the whys and just do it.
I know as a parent I often use the answer; Because I said so. So why is it that when God tells us to do something we feel we need a reason or an explination? No wonder our kids ask why all the time. We taught them to do it.
Bit...I think all of us can well remember when God called "stop" but we kept right on trekking. Snake bit is a good way to look at price we pay for questioning Almighty God.
Great writing again!!!
I know I would have been bitten several times in my life, and I'm a rule follower! Obedience takes lots of practice. I'm so glad we have a patient God.
Learning to say Yes Lord the first time.
Post a Comment