Session 14
Obedience is Just the Beginning
From Rich Toward God
Imagine a little girl who obeys her parents—but she does it begrudgingly. She wants to take her playtime beyond the driveway into the street, but her mom and dad always say no. She obeys out of obligation, but her heart isn’t in it… until one day, one of her toys rolls into the street. A car soon drives by and smashes the toy into a hundred pieces. Then it clicks—her parents aren’t asking her to obey just to ruin her fun. They’re trying to keep her safe because they love her.
After this realization, the little girl obeys with joy because she realizes obedience is more than just a requirement. She finally understands that obedience isn’t the end; it’s the beginning of a deeper relationship of trust, safety, and love.
As we conclude our time together in this devotional, let’s truly grasp the idea that obeying is not the end of the story, but the beginning of a deeper relationship with God. In fact, our everyday relationship with God moves at the speed of our everyday obedience. For Christians, obedience to God and His Word is fundamental, but God wants more than our obedience. Our acts of obedience are opportunities to encounter God.
Every spiritual discipline exists not just for us to check boxes, but to grow in our relationships with God. In little and big things alike, following His ways deepens both our understanding of Him and our relationship with Him. When we devote time to prayer, serve one another, and give of our time, energy, and treasure, we invite Jesus into our everyday lives.
Every spiritual discipline exists, not for its own sake, but as a context for deepening relationship with God. Spiritual discipline, acts of service, giving of our time, talent, and treasure, these are ways that we invite and foster our everyday relationship with Jesus. God doesn’t need your money, your time, or your acts of service. God wants you—and that’s the most generous gift He could ever offer.
REFLECT
- Have you ever realized that God is looking for a relationship with us more than obligatory obedience alone? How has that changed your perspective?
- How can you view obedience as a pathway to deepening your relationship with God today?