If You Would Listen

​Andy and I have a spunky two-year old that we bring with us to church each week. And, as you can probably imagine, a common topic in our household lately has been “obedience.”
 
I find myself telling our toddler, “If you would listen to me … “ you would see that what I am asking of you or telling you to do with be for your benefit!
 
If you would listen to me and put on your jacket, you will be warm.
 
If you would listen to me and eat your food, you will no longer be hungry.
 
If you would listen to me and get in the car, you get to go somewhere fun!
 
But there are, more times than not, that my son chooses to argue, ignore, or even run from me. And I am saying under my breath, “if you would just listen, you would see how fun and joyous life can be. Things don’t have to be this difficult!”
 
One night this week, after a day of typical pushback from my 2-year old, I was scrolling through Instagram and came across a quote from an account I follow. I have never felt more like a toddler than I did when reading that quote. It said:
 
“You have no idea what God can set into motion through the one single act of obedience.”
 
And, isn’t it interesting that God can use children to refine us? Just as Tatum sometimes can’t understand the outcome or benefit of listening to me, I can’t fathom what God could do if I simply said yes to what he is asking me to do!
 
Noah obeyed God and built the ark before he saw the flood.
 
Moses obeyed God and struck his staff into the water before he saw the Red Sea divide.
 
Ezekiel obeyed God and prophesied to the dry bones before he saw them rise.
 
The young boy obeyed the Lord and gave his small portion of bread and fish before he saw the 5,000 fed.
 
Peter obeyed the Lord before he stepped out of the boat and miraculously walked on water.
 
Jesus obeyed his father and hung upon the cross before he died, defeated death, and rolled the stone away from his grave.
 
The first step might not make sense, but our obedience could change this world and prove one simple truth. “Nothing is impossible for the lord our God.” Our fear or stubbornness is surely worth defeating if we knew what was on the other side of our obedience.
 
Now I hear God saying to me, “If you would just listen to me, I can do amazing things through you! It doesn’t have to be difficult!”
 
 
Christy Traeger