Obedience

I have a quick question for you. Are you an obedient disciple of Jesus? (Does that sound like a loaded question?) I am assuming that you said “Yes”, or “most of the time”, or “sometimes”. I would consider myself an obedient person probably just like most people would define themselves as “a good person”! I’m obedient compared to most of the world. [Insert any justification story here!] I have been reading a book with my son at nights about another teenage boy. It’s a true story. This kid is an incredible follower of God – in the literal sense. This young teenage boy at an early age goes on mission trips and seeks to “win the world” to Jesus. His name is B.J. B.J. is bold when it comes to his faith. B. J. journals what God is teaching him. One day when speaking of what God is saying to him, B.J. says, God is teaching me immediate obedience (emphasis added). He mentions that the winds and the waves obey Jesus in an instant. Then he questions himself and us. Shouldn’t we obey better than the winds and the waves? Shouldn’t we obey immediately? This question has been probing my mind a lot – I can’t seem to shake it! Too many times I find myself obeying Jesus, but only after much debate in my mental dialog and inadequacies of finding a loop-hole or escape clause! Why don’t I do immediately what I know I ought to do? What I need to do? What good followers of Jesus do? Probably because my obedience is not grounded deep enough in love, but rather out of too much effort! I believe grace saved me, but I find myself living as if I can earn part of it to be the “good” guy! My goal is to obey – instantly! It will be a tough journey – wanna join me? I pray so!