Truly No Better life

He humbled Himself, by becoming obedient to the point of death – even death on a cross! As a result God exalted Him and gave Him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow – in heaven and on earth and under the earth – and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father.  Philippians 2:8-11 NET

We can make small changes to work harder or eat healthier, but most of life’s biggest trials are unbearably unavoidable. Instead of living in faith as Christ’s followers in the midst of that trial, we often find ourselves distracted, trying to control what’s around us. 

Rather than focusing on the Lord, we look to ourselves to solve life’s hardships.  And really, change is never easy. And sometimes, neither is obedience to God. Obedience literally cost Jesus His life! But through scripture we learn that it was because of Jesus’s humble obedience we are washed clean, saved by His grace. 

Maybe we need to learn what it means to surrender to God’s will, even when it’s hard. Really hard. Because it’s what gives us the opportunity to be more like Jesus, who embraced the change from being infinite as God to finite as man by having a humble attitude, even though He was the Son of God. imagine the love Jesus has for His Father, that He completely gave of Himself unto God’s hand. 

Instead of asking the Lord to change our circumstances, let us ask for the Lord to change us. Trust that His plan is greater than anything we can fathom.Some of us love change. We live for the thrill of it. Others find ourselves fighting panic when the mere idea floats across our minds. But if we’re honest, we all find change a little scary.Certain changes feel better than others. The excitement of a new career opportunity is nothing like what we experience as we grieve the pain of a miscarriage … a relationship that dead-ends and leaves us baffled.

No matter the change we face, stress usually travels with it hand in hand. And as humans, we handle stress by looking for a way to cope rather than first taking all concerns to God. 

Take good care to observe the commandment and the law which Moses the servant of the Lord commanded you, to love the Lord your God, and to walk in all His ways, and to keep His commandments, and to cleave to Him, and to serve Him with all your heart and with all your soul.  Joshua 22:5 NIV 

God has called each of His children to a specific task, and it can only be accomplished when we give it the best of our time, effort, gifts, and focus to Him. As we are obedient to follow God’s calling, God will bring out the best in us. His calm washes over us. Stay committed to God’s plan despite what is going around us. Don't be overwhelmed, be open, God’s plan might require achieving something that has never been accomplished and through obedience God is able to use it for His glory. The Lord is faithful and will come through in His word concerning His people despite the challenges we are currently facing. 

And while we might not be able to effectively explain God’s plan for our life, committing to obedience and following God’s commands is to be the main target. When we aim to focus on God’s plans for us we are able to positively impact and influence others in Christ. When one deliberately elects to reject God’s plan for their life, it can negatively impact and influence others and those in close relation to them. 

As we aim to focus on God, ask Him for wisdom and strength, rely on Holy Spirit, leaning on Him for discernment and endurance, obeying God’s commands is of extreme importance. Intentionally following our own plans and not God’s plan is rebellion. 

No matter how someone tries to fashion disobedience, God is not pleased with the deliberate rejection of His word. It is vital that we don’t allow distractions, fear, pride and our opinions to interfere with obeying God’s commands. Believers shouldn’t focus on God’s methodology but on faithfully aligning in obedience to carry out His commands in our lives. 

Obeying God is the key to godly success and affects others. When you accept Jesus Christ as your Savior, be advised that God’s ways are not often popular with the world and some people will not understand God’s call on your life. While we are obedient to following God’s commands, people might resort to; mocking, ridiculing, debasing and harassment but this place is not our forever home, it is better to be obedient to God than to succumb to the disobedience of the world’s influence. 

Obedience is a beautiful way of humbling ourselves before our Heavenly Father and saying, "Lord in my obedience to You, I trust You with everything and have faith that in anything You call me to, that it is part of Your purpose for my life." 

In this, there is truly no better life to live than one in obedience to our God.