Obey Your Way Clear

“Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me.” — John 14:21

Sometimes we make following Jesus much harder than it needs to be. We analyze. We debate. We make lists. We lose sleep. We imagine twelve possible outcomes, eleven disasters, and one unlikely situation involving a lawyer. Then we pray, “Lord, please make this clear.” And sometimes Jesus has already made it clear. We just do not like the answer.

Jesus says something wonderfully simple in John 14:21. If we love Him, we obey Him. Not understand everything. Not agree with everything. Not wait until everything feels comfortable. Obey.

There are problems you can think your way through. If your car will not start, thinking is useful. Check the battery. Check the gas. Check whether you left the lights on again. But spiritual confusion often works differently. Sometimes we do not need more information. We need obedience.

Maybe Jesus has already been pressing something on your heart. Forgive that person. Tell the truth. Stop doing something you know is wrong. Make the phone call. Give generously. Apologize. Take the next faithful step. And instead of obeying, we begin negotiating. “Jesus, I would really like a little more information first.”

We want a five-year plan. Jesus gives us today. We want the whole map. Jesus gives us the next turn. We want certainty. Jesus says,

“Follow me.”

A flashlight does not light the entire road. It gives you enough light for the next few steps. You walk into that light, and then you can see farther. Faith often works the same way. Obedience comes first. Understanding often follows.

And that can be hard on our pride because we would rather figure everything out ourselves. We want Jesus to explain Himself before we follow Him. But Jesus does not say, “If you love me, understand all my commands.” He says, keep them.

So maybe the question today is not, “Why isn’t God making everything clear?” Maybe the better question is: What is the next thing I already know Jesus wants me to do?

Then do that.

Sometimes the clearest way forward is not to think your way clear. It is to obey your way clear.

Have a great Week!

-Pastor Corey