Listening, Love, And Obedience

Friday, March 26th, 2010 | Lent Meditations

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” -Jeremiah 29:11

There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear… -1 John 4:18

Why do we sometimes find it so difficult to listen to God and obey Him?

Henri Nouwen writes: “We are poor listeners because we are afraid that there is something other than love in God. This is not so strange since we seldom, if ever, experience love without a taint of jealousy, resentment, revenge, or even hatred. Often we see love surrounded by limitations and conditions. We tend to doubt what presents itself to us as love and are always on guard, prepared for disappointments. For this reason we find it hard simply to listen or to obey. But Jesus truly listened and obeyed because only he knew the love of his Father: (John 6:46) ‘No one has seen the Father except the one who is from God; only he has seen the Father.’”

When we understand and believe how deeply God loves us, then we also take Him at His word when He says:
“Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you.
I have called you by name; you are mine.
When you go through deep waters,
I will be with you.
When you go through rivers of difficulty,
you will not drown.
When you walk through the fire of oppression,
you will not be burned up;
the flames will not consume you.
For I am the Lord, your God,
the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.” (Isaiah 43:1-3)

When we understand the depth of His love for us as Jesus did, then we can listen and obey God fearlessly!

Tags: Lent 2010