The Dog Days are Over...

From birth and childhood, to adolescence and adulthood, we are taught to be obedient. Not only towards our parents, but our friends' parents, teachers, bosses and people of authority in our lives. Throughout all these stages of life, we are given opportunities to excel in the area of obedience, wouldn't you agree? It's obvious that we aren't going to pass the test of obedience every time...but how many of you have seen the fruit of either your obedience or disobedience?

When I think of the subject of obedience, there are a few defined moments in my walk with the Lord that come to mind. Some of them where I was obedient, and some,unfortunately, where I wasn't. One of the first memories that comes to mind was during my first day at a new cosmetology school. I was a transfer student at Wright Beauty Academy in Portage, MI. I decided to resume my Cosmetology schooling during my second year of EPIC Commission (A college discipleship and leadership school at my home church, Valley Family Church). Weeks prior to my first day back to beauty school, I had been praying that the Lord would use me that school year to be an example to my peers. To help breakdown common misconceptions of the church and Jesus by my actions and the counter-cultural lifestyle I live. Ready or not...that's just what I got! Ha ha. During my FIRST DAY at this new school, I found God tugging on my heart to fulfill the role I had been begging Him to use me in. Seeing as how it was my first day - I was very aware that this is the day that first impressions are being made. At this point in my life, my heart was to unashamedly serve God and not worry what other thought of me, however the people-pleaser part of me still cared about what others thought, and I didn't want to look like a crazy lady. 

Any way - back to the story... As the clock began to wind down before testing in...a woman walked into the room in severe pain. She had to take this 3+ hour mock state board test to continue schooling, but she looked awful. After overhearing some of her conversation with others about the severe pain she was in, I felt the Lord put it on my heart to pray for her. Not just silently to myself, but to physically lay hands on her and pray for healing. I was terrified. I began to argue with God in my head... 

Me: "God I can't do that!"

God: "You've been asking me to use you, so here's your chance to be used." Me: "But God....it's my first day. I know I want to be a light...but can we please wait until tomorrow, or even next week??"

God: "Lindzi, pray for her."

Me: "I don't even know her! I don't know anyone here! And anyways, the test is going to start here shortly..."

God: "Lindzi....you need to pray for her. You have 15 minutes until the test starts..."

My eyes were glued to the clock, watching the time tick away as I sat in silence, yet in a debating war with God in my head. During this, I began to get a feeling in the pit of my stomach that I can't begin to explain to you. The only way I know how to describe it...was that I HAD to do this. I was almost afraid of what would or wouldn't happen if I didn't do it. I finally decided to pray for this woman...she was definitely receptive of it and I think was surprised that I asked to pray for her. At that moment and during the test, it didn't seem as though anything was different, all I knew is that God was asking me to pray for her - that's the last I thought of it.

Months later, I overheard her talking to a classmate and mentioned something about her "angel" and motioned towards me. I was instantly confused, and asked for clarification. She then brought up the test, and how I prayed for her, and said that she didn't even remember taking it, as if someone took it for her! In that moment - I was so excited because I knew that meant God had healed her! Even though I didn't see it that day, months later, I was able to see the fruit of my obedience!

My other example that has marked me, is unfortunately an instance that I saw my disobedience. A really close friend of mine had been going through a rough season. While seeing these things unfold from a distance, I felt like the Lord had put it on my heart to talk with her. Check in with her and see why her life was unfolding the way it was. Long story short, because of fear, and not feeling like "I had a place to say anything" about it (which now looking back I really believe I did) I didn't end up having the conversation with her that I felt like I was supposed to have. I kept putting it off and telling people I would, but I never followed through with it because I didn't want this conversation to push her away... After some time, I found out that someone else had reached out to her and had the conversation that I was supposed to have with her. Instantly, I knew it was because I wasn't obedient that God sent someone else to have that conversation with her. After this instance, I never want to disobey God, or be unwilling for Him to use me.

Obedience is something we all must strive for consistency in...especially when it comes to our relationship with the Lord. God speaks to us for a reason... and the first step to being obedient is knowing His voice. The more we spend time in the Word and in His presence, the more we will begin to learn His voice. I remember the way it felt knowing that God had to use someone else to do what He instructed me, originally, to do - and I can assure you, I don't want to experience that again!

To close this out, I'd like to leave you with my new favorite version of Isaiah 1:19-20.

Isaiah 1:19-20 MSG

“If you’ll willingly obey,

you’ll feast like kings.

But if you’re willful and stubborn,
you’ll die like dogs.”

I don't know about you, but I'd rather feast like a King than die like dogs... So here's to being obedient in whatever it is that God calls us to do, no matter the fear, the risks, or the "what ifs"!

LMM