Moment-by-Moment Obedience Part II

A few weeks ago there was a sermon at our church about generosity. Although the pastor was mainly talking about financial generosity, it really got me thinking about being more generous in every way of my life. Of course, with our money, but more importantly (for me anyway), with my time. I immediately began recognizing all the times I missed opportunities to show God's love. Sometimes it was out of pure selfishness (i.e., "I don't feel like taking the time."), but more often it was out of procrastination and busyness. I would get so caught up in whatever I was doing, and would think, "oh, I'll do it in a little bit." But before I knew it, I would either forget or miss my opportunity.

I was convicted.

I wrote a blog not long ago about moment-by-moment obedience. Yet, here I was, not being obedient. I needed to change. This change was two-fold. First, I decided that I from here on out I was going to act (so long as it is a godly action, of course), assuming that every time I am prompted, it is a prompting by God. I think it is better to act with a heart of obedience than constantly questioning whether it is God or not, and missing the opportunity to walk in faith. Now, let me just clarify, I'm not talking about drastic actions. I'm talking about things like giving when I see a need, inviting a stranger to church, emailing someone when I think of them, reaching out to someone who may need a friend.

The second change I have made to live in moment-by-moment obedience, is to act immediately upon prompting. This means I now stop what I'm doing and send that email, or talk to that person, or write that check. Not only has this change helped me not to miss opportunities, but it has also helped me to shift my thoughts outwardly. Instead of constantly being consumed with what I have to do, I am more in tune with what God would have me do.

You would not believe what an incredible difference these two changes have made in the short time that I have been doing them. There is no doubt in my mind that I am acting in obedience. I am more in tune with the needs and people surrounding me than I have been in a long time (perhaps ever). I truly see what a blessing it is to live in obedience to Him.

Lord, thank you for opening my mind and heart to the areas where I need to change. Help me to live in moment-by-moment obedience to you, not concerned with my fleshly apprehension and selfishness, but abandoned to a walk in faith. Amen.