Listen:
“If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love.” (John 15:10 NIV)
Reflect:
I’ve pondered many times the story in Numbers 20 when, in his anger at the Israelite people, Moses rebuked them shouting, “Listen you rebels! Must we bring you water from this rock?” and struck the rock instead of speaking to it as God instructed. Even after God delivered the people of Israel out of slavery and provided for their needs in the wilderness, still they grumbled and faltered in trusting Him anytime they faced adversity. God’s response to His people was one of patient provision. Moses’ response to the Israelite people came laced with vitriol and pride.
I’m a momma to three wild boys, and I know exactly when I make a correction in love or when I make a correction out of frustration; the moment I choose to correct my children from a place of disobedient control instead of obedient love. Jesus instructs us in John 15:10, “when you obey my commandments, you remain in my love, just as I obey my Father’s commandments and remain in His love.”
Do I call forth the water in patient obedience, or do I smash it out in frustration? Our God is merciful and kind; He sends the water regardless, but when I choose to disobey, I choose to step out of His love. This doesn’t mean He loves me any less, but rather it means that I’ve chosen not to stay connected to His heart. As a result of plucking myself from the vine of the Spirit, I won’t bear the fruit of abiding in Him. Frustration comes in where patience should be, and anger replaces peace. Despair snatches joy, and a careless tongue pushes out self-control and gentleness. While His love for me remains unchanged, in my disobedience I may misrepresent His heart to my children! I may drive them away instead of drawing them near! In those moments, I’ve severed myself from the vine, and I am incapable of bearing the fruit of abiding in Him, which are love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Obeying the Lord means trusting that His way is better, more effective, more whole than ours and remaining close to Him as we walk it out. Help us, Holy Spirit.
Prayer of Response:
Lord, teach me to listen for your voice before I speak or act, that I may know what pleases you and obey. May the daily thoughts, words, and actions of my life honor you and point those around me to You. Amen.
Questions to Ponder:
- When do I need to pause and listen before I speak or act so that I may find out what pleases the Lord?
- Do I have any patterns of disobedience I’ve gotten complacent about?
- How am I representing the heart of God to those closest to me?
Breath prayers:
Inhale (Breathe in): Breathe in mercy
Exhale (Breathe out): Breathe out frustration
Inhale (Breathe in): Breathe in restful submission
Exhale (Breathe out): Breathe out obstinate control
Inhale (Breathe in): Breathe in His presence
Exhale (Breathe out): Breathe out His fruit
—Submitted by: Traci Bartak
Traci lives in rural Washington state with her husband Blake and their three young boys: Boaz(10), Brighton(8) and Bear(5). She is a homemaker and homeschooling mom. Traci and her family are members of The Promise Church in Woodland, Wa, where she teaches in the church homeschool co-op and is involved in children’s ministry. On December 3, 2023, Traci published her book The Fight for Family; Cultivating a Spirit-Led Home, in which she shares her passion for seeing families restored to health by the leading of the Holy Spirit. She believes that world change begins first within each home. In her free time, Traci enjoys working in the garden and caring for animals with her family on their hobby farm as well as hiking, reading, writing, traveling and long days wakeboarding at the lake near their home. A passionate disciple of Jesus Christ, she desires to see hearts freed and transformed by regularly encountering the Holy Spirit.
Feature photo by Traci Bartak, taken in her garden.