You Want Me to Do WHAT?

Proverbs 16:9 (KJV)
⁹ A man’s heart deviseth his way: but the Lord directeth his steps.

Matthew 5:44 (KJV)
⁴⁴ But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;

Ecclesiastes 12:14 (KJV)
¹⁴ For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.

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Candace is furious! She had just flipped on the kitchen light and found a sink full of dirty dishes. Carlton, her teenage son, had been told to make sure he cleaned the kitchen before going to bed. That did not happen.

Candace marches upstairs to Carlton’s room, yanks the covers back with one hand and flicks the lamp switch on and off with the other. It is about 2:30 in the morning.

“Ma, what are you doing?”

“You did not wash dishes like I told you. Get up and do it now, right now.”

“You want me to that now? Really? Right now?”

“There is nothing to be said. Get it done!”

Carlton grudgingly does what he should have done in the first place. He understood what his mother expected before he went to bed. He simply decided not to do it. He had good intentions. He planned to ‘get to it’ before Candace got up for work the next morning.

Have you done the last thing God told you to do? Make that phone call? Give to bless another? Pray for someone you do not particularly care for? Finish what He had you start? Keep your mouth closed about a situation?  You understood God’s directive when He placed in your spirit and mind. I suppose we should be thankful that God has not walked into our rooms, snatched the covers off, and demanded complete obedience to His instruction.

Choices made to not obey and honor God can be forgiven, but they are not overlooked.  We will give account for every deed. Hopefully, your spiritual life does not mimic that of the teenager who stretches his wings to test his independence. You will only fly if God permits you to fly. We ‘get away’ with disobedience only in our minds. The Spirit stands ready to waken you from your spiritual slumber, your choice to do as you please verses what God chose. Give it some thought. Try to get rid of this kind of silent dialog between you and God:

“Love your enemies.”

“You want me to do what?”

“Bless those who curse you.”

“Really? Are You sure about that?”

“Do good to those who hate you.”

“Did I hear You right?”

“Pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you.”

“You’ve got to be joking!”

Before you believe you would never say such things, recall the last time you actually loved, blessed, did good, and prayed for the spiritually challenged.  God expects a positive response. He expects obedience. Remember Carlton? His mother checked on things before he could carry out his plan.

Don’t get caught sleeping before your work is done!