Hi friends ~ I was looking through some old blog posts and I found this post written in early 2009. I was actually looking for something else when I felt led to stop and read this one. Wow – was it a great reminder! Because it is just as relevant to me today as it was 7 years ago, it’s definitely worth posting again.
If anyone is asking for your advice on a serious subject, or if you are looking for a powerful way to pray for those you love, OR if YOU are needing to know what to do next… this would be the wisest response and prayer. Read on, and see what you think.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ SmellingCoffee.com, early 2009
I had one of those “lightbulb” moments when I was studying the other day. In Genesis 31:16, Jacob was telling Leah and Rachel the instructions God had given him about leaving their home and returning to Jacob’s homeland. This would be a difficult journey and a major change for these women and their children, yet the wives said a very profound thing to Jacob. They simply said, “Do whatever God tells you to do.” Period
I’ve been thinking about that a lot lately. They were in a serious situation full of potential life change. And of all the things they (as women, wives, and mothers) could have said to Jacob – they just said, “Do whatever God tells you to do.” They didn’t whine or complain or try to manipulate Jacob into doing what they wanted him to do. They wisely told him to just “Do whatever God tells you to do.”
What if this was the advice we offered to our husbands or friends when they came to us with a potentially life-changing decision?
What if this is what we prayed for our husbands?
Our friends?
And especially for our children?
What if this was the definition of how you and I really lived?
“Do whatever God tells you to do.“
Now, if we lived this way, we couldn’t use “God told me to do this” as an excuse to do what we want. Doing what God tells us to do requires a person to do three things: 1) Spend time in God’s Word searching for Truth and instruction, 2) Spend time in prayer seeking God’s direction and discernment, and 3) Be willing to obey – no matter the cost.
Doing whatever God tells us to do may mean some changes need to be made, some habits need to be broken, some relationships may need to be mended, and some faith may need to overcome some fear. But if we really lived this way, wouldn’t it all be worth it? ‘Cause when we do what God tells us to do – we show Him that we love Him, and He will take care of the rest. (See all of John chapter 15.)
“Do whatever God tells you to do.”
I was thinking that if we could give only one piece of advice to those we love, or if we could pray only one thing for those who mean so much to us, I think this would be the one thing. “Do whatever God tells you to do.”
It’s certainly the one thing I want to mark my life, my husband’s life, and my children’s lives. More than anything, I want us “Do whatever God tells us to do.” Period.
I’m praying that for you, too, friends. In whatever it is you’re facing – I am praying that every dear reader of this post will “Do whatever God tells you to do.” You can’t go wrong with following those instructions. 🙂
May the Lord bless each one of you – reveal Himself to you this week – and may you and I Do whatever God tells us to do. Much love to you all…
