How do kids often respond when told to clean their rooms? What do they say when told to eat their veggies or to turn off their favorite TV show?
Maybe some of them say, “Sure, Mom. Okay, Dad. Your wish is my command!” But chances are pretty good that many 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. For instance, He tells us to forgive someone who’s hurt us. Our first response might be, “Aw, do I have to?”
He tells us to be grateful amidst unexpected expenses due to a car breakdown. “Aw, do I have to?”
He nudges us to give generously to someone in need. “Aw, do I have to?”
I’m guessing God must feel like a parent sometimes, wishing His kids would eagerly obey what He asks 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, 59-60).
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.
I love that Scripture. I despise my own high-handed attitude which tells me that I don’t have to do what God is telling me to, even though I know He is right, and that I should obey Him without question or delay.
I pray that prayer……that God will give me a heart to obey…..immediately!
I thank God for His Word, and Truths. He surely is our Abba Father.
High-handed attitude = pride. It’s what caused Satan to fall from heaven and Adam and Eve to make the wrong choices. To think we suppose we can do life better our way than God–what a fallacy! Heaven help us all to run the way of God’s commands, not go there kicking and screaming.