OBEDIENCE..

Greetings to you in the name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. And it gives me immense pleasure to meet you again through this blog. 

Students have become more attached to their books. Bigger classes however wear a deserted look.. Unfortunately for some, distraction in the form of cricket is around the corner.. and the next cycle of exams to are behind it to jolt the students back to reality.

Heb 5:8 says “Although he was a son, he learned obedience from what he suffered..”.  For a few of us, exams are indeed a period of suffering, and for the rest - obedience is. Isn’t it? Today, we are being so much pampered by our parents in every possible way so that “we may not face the hardships” that our parents faced. In principle, our parents, being overly protective of us, go to great lengths to ensure that we have comfortable lives whatever may be the situation the family is going through. In any normal middle class family, with almost both the parents going for work to make the ends meet, unless there is some kind of divine intervention to meet the family’s needs, the efforts, however hard and sincere they may be, never produce the desired results. It is only His grace that is showered in abundance on the parents which makes it possible for them to survive the days upto the next salary. 

Have we, as sons and daughters, ever wondered how it is practically possible for our parents to provide for our whims and fancies which very often border on the insane? It is their love for us which makes them to work the odd hours to see that there is sufficiency at home; to see that they have precious money to spend when we go and ask for a new stationery or, of late, even for a recharge for our latest, trendy mobile phones which we proudly flaunt among our friends. 

I had my schooling in a modest environment. I had to travel by the town bus and the ticket cost 25 paise per trip. Pocket money was something unheard of in my home. And so, to call some money as my own, I had to skip the return bus trip and preferred walking all the way home. All this trouble was for a 25 paise, which has now been withdrawn from circulation by the government. Now, even though the 25 paise coin has lost its value, has become obsolete, the education that they had provided has not - it will remain.

The effort of a parent to provide for his child is similar to this. To provide for something that is of value. Preferably eternal, that stands the test of time. Unlike the coins (I'll relate it to the worldly pleasures here) which sooner or later lose their value in the world where they had all along been of some use, the spiritual path that our parents set before us has a goal; not that of accumulating wealth or to ensure that we have a luxurious life lacking troubles, but to see that we are spiritually saved. Our parents very often try hard to ensure that we follow a spiritual, God-centered path right from our early age. They do this so that we children may not have to endure the hardships that they had had in their youth. It is common knowledge that a person is able to teach others better only when he/she knows first-hand about an issue. The knowledge of the pain and suffering instills in them a fear that forces them to compel their children to follow certain principles which they have found to be of good value. But we, as children, entering our age of adolescence normally tend to act like rebels without a cause. Scripture clearly tells us “not to lean our own understanding” but “in all our ways to acknowledge God, and He will make our paths straight” (Prov 3:5,6).

A few of us do sometimes feel that the restrictions placed upon us are sometimes extreme. We think we are better equipped to face the challenges in our lives. We feel that those who “boss” us around are at liberty to do what pleases them, but when it comes to us, unnecessary fears creep in. It is not so. In fact, even parents, ministers and those who lead us spiritually in the church have certain commands / principles / doctrines laid before them to follow. Even Jesus Christ too was not spared. He remained obedient to his parents until his appointed time. Even when Jesus began his ministry, we often read in the gospels, very often Jesus said to the people he had healed / delivered not to tell anyone about it. Because it was not the will of the Father, there still remained sufficient time for the passion week.

Trials are permitted in our lives to test and refine us. It is true that it may cause a little hardship, but the rewards are greater. Let us suppose that you are given a choice: to endure suffering for a small period of time, which you are compulsorily required to undergo. And if you are able to complete it, your reward will be to go to a place of your choice for a permanent stay. What would you prefer? Stay in this place? No way! Almost all of us would jump at the opportunity. We would somehow try and endure the pain and suffering. We would try focusing on what laid in store at the end for the winner. Being children of God, this is what has been placed before us. No one is going to permanently stay here in this world forever. Nor can you overstay here. You were not destined for this place. You have already been chosen by a King. Otherwise you would not be reading this. Phil 2:13 says “for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose”. And so, it is according to purpose which is good we act and work. The Bible teaches “...whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” (1 Cor 10:31).

Can we for a moment examine ourselves whether the path that we have chosen is really the one God would prefer us to be in? Whether the trials and suffering which God has permitted in our lives is bringing a gradual change in our character making us more like Him? Whether the way we live and lead our lives does really glorify God? Remember, God has given each one of us a free will. Each one of us can make our own choices. And the choices we make now, here on earth, will decide where we would spend our eternity. Just in case we realize that we have strayed off-course, take heart, it is never too late to turn back. God still calls out to the lost sheep and the gate is still kept open for all those who repent and come back. Obedience can be hard now, but in time, when you produce fruits, you will be a blessing to all around you. Keep in mind Apostle Paul’s words: “but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us..” 

Until we meet again, may His grace and mercy be with you all. Amen.