Week 3- Listening and Obeying
One part of being human is longing to live with purpose, which leads many of us to pray for God’s guidance and direction – this might even be at the top of our minds this week. Thankfully, he hasn’t left us to our own devices. He speaks through these scriptures to us, guiding us to live in his wisdom. These aren’t just general platitudes; his Word is alive and active, cutting to the core of who we are.
If we’re willing to listen to his voice and put his instructions into practice, we find freedom to live in the way we’re made for. This is why the Psalmist wrote “Oh, how I love your law! I meditate on it all day long.” By dwelling with God, reading the Bible, and choosing the way of obedience, we experience a more abundant life, not a reduced one. Like a kite needing a string to be able to fly, we rely on God’s instruction to be able to live life in its fullness. Rather than law-centred drudgery, we’re invited to remain in Jesus, demonstrating our love for him by following his commands. As we draw closer to the one who first loved us, it’s a natural response to shed any traces of allegiance to the way of sin, and choose to obey Jesus’ way instead.
As we approach this week’s BREAD readings, pay attention to the promptings of the Spirit. Where is he calling to put his Word into practice? What might it look like to live fully surrendered to God’s ways? In doing this we find joy and gladness in humbly spending our lives as a sacrifice to Jesus, the one who promises to lift us up.
Prayer
Father, we thank you that your ways far outstretch our own, that you love us so much that we are not left to our own devices but that you provide wisdom for our every step. Thank you for speaking and leading us in many different ways so that we may learn to lean into a relationship with you rather than giving us a set of rules to attain your affection. We thank you for the freedom that you have provided for us through the life, death, and resurrection of your son, our Mighty Saviour Jesus Christ.
We confess that we choose to rely on our own ideas and efforts to earn love and approval. Help us to recognise where we need to submit to your ways, for the first time and afresh, so that we may truly experience the joy of being drawn by you into the wide open space that our heart’s long for.