How do your kids respond when you tell them to clean their rooms? What do they say when you tell them to eat their veggies, or to turn off their favorite TV show?
Maybe some of them throw a big grin your way and say, “Sure, Mom. Your wish is my command!” But chances are pretty good that most of them say something like, “Aw, do I have to?”
I did the same thing when I was a kid. Changing my bed sheets every Friday was a chore I really disliked for some reason. Before I’d leave for school, a conversation ensued between me and my mother:
“Did you strip your bed?”
“No.”
“Go and do that now, please.”
“Aw, do I have to?”
I wonder how often we hold similar conversations with God. He tells us to forgive someone who’s hurt us. Our first response is, “Aw, do I have to?”
He tells us to mow the neighbor’s lawn as a random act of kindness. “Aw, do I have to?”
He nudges us to offer to pray with someone who’s obviously distraught. “Aw, do I have to?”
I’m guessing God must feel like a parent sometimes, wishing His kids would stop questioning and instead eagerly obey what He’s asking us to do. Let’s strive to respond in a way that reflects the Psalmist’s attitude: “Lord, you are mine! I promise to obey your words!…I pondered the direction of my life, and I turned to follow your laws. I will hurry, without delay, to obey your commands” (Psalm 119:57-60).
If you’ve displayed an Aw, do I have to? attitude toward God, then ask Him for a fresh start. Ask Him to give you a heart that obeys Him without delay. I guarantee you this—God will answer that prayer with a resounding yes.
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