Obedient to His Calling

Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord.   – Colossians 3:20 

In the Hebrew language, the word “shema” means hear. There is no word for “obey” since this type of “hearing” means to listen attentively, internalizing into action.

Children are dependent upon their parents for all things, and they are to listen and offer obedience in return, learning to submit to the instruction of those wiser than themselves. Of course, there are caveats in tragic cases where adults in a child’s life are ungodly and abusive. But the example of an attentive child in the care of loving and godly parents is a symbol of the human spiritual journey. 

Jesus is the example for both young and old. As a child, although He was the Son of God, He still obeyed His parents. Traveling with His earthly family, when they requested that he return with them although He preferred to be in the temple, “He went down with them and was submissive to them” (Luke 2:51).   

As an adult, Jesus embraced God’s will and the purpose of His life. “He did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but… by taking the form of a servant… he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross” (Philippians 2:6-8). 

Christ fulfilled His role in bringing salvation for all humankind, and He is calling you to please God by being likewise attentive and obedient to His purposes for you. He clearly instructed His followers, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me” (Matthew 16:24). 

Pray for those serving this nation today. Ask the Lord to work in the hearts of governing officials so that they honor their offices by obeying the law of the land and looking to God for assistance to perform their duties well.