Free me for joyful obedience – a good reminder

As I recited the words, “free me for joyful obedience,” from United Methodist communion liturgy, it was like hearing them for the very first time. “Free me for joyful obedience.” I have recited these same words more times than I can count.

Free me.

Me.

For obedience.

Not just for any obedience, joyful obedience. What does that even mean? How can obedience be joyful?

How can obedience be joyful? 

I have been on a path, a journey really, for a while now. Sometimes I am obedient to what God has called me to do. And sometimes, I am not.

When I was speaking to a group of women, a few years ago, I remember sharing this message. “By hearing God, trusting God and responding in obedience to what God says, it takes all the guess work out of things. God said it. I am going to trust God at his word by obeying Him. There is a whole lot of peace and joy that has followed me on this path.” I wonder if I’ve somehow found that joyful obedience?

God is my source of delight. I realize that the closer I draw to God, the more joy I experience.

Psalm 37:4 (ESV) reads, 

Pete Scazzero says, in his book Emotionally Healthy Spirituality,  “True spirituality frees us to live joyfully in the present. It requires, however, going back in order to go forward. This takes us to the very heart of spirituality and discipleship in the family of God—breaking free from the destructive sinful patterns of our pasts to live the life of love God intends.”

Live a life of love

I want to live that life of love God intends for me to live. I want to break free from all the destructive sinful patterns of my past and experience the true spirituality that frees us to live joyfully in the present. Then, and only then, can we do the work that God has created us to do and be the people God created us to be. Then we can live a life of love and be filled with joyful obedience.

In my book, The Me Disease, I talk about joyful and not so joyful work. “There is work that needs to be done, both inside and outside the Church. But if that work cannot be done through a spirit of love, you don’t need to be doing it. It is easy to recognize. Ask yourself these three questions: Does it bring you joy? Does it bring others joy? Does is glorify God? If you cannot answer a resounding, joyful “YES” to all three questions , then it is time to re-examine why you are doing what you are doing. Let God lead you. God will  make crystal clear what you should and should not be doing on His behalf if you are willing to listen.”

As I reflect on joyful obedience, I remember turning in my UMC red hymnal to page 8; A Service of Word and Table. In unison, we would read,

Merciful God, we confess that we have not loved you with our whole heart. We have failed to be  an obedient church. We have not done your will., we have broken your law, we have rebelled against your love, we have not loved our neighbors, and we have not heard the cry of the needy. Forgive us, we pray. Free us for joyful obedience, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

And the pastor would proclaim in a joyful resounding voice;

“Hear the good news:

Christ died for us while we were yet sinners; that proves God’s love toward us. In the name of Jesus Christ, you are forgiven!”

And all would say, “In the name of Jesus Christ, you are forgiven! Glory to God. Amen.” 

Repentance leads to joyful obedience. Break free from your old patterns and embrace who you are in Christ. God’s got work for us to do.

Let us pray:

Dear Lord, free me for joyful obedience. Teach me how to delight in You. Forgive me when I am not obedient and lead me to a life of love You intended for me. In Jesus Name, Amen. 

P.S. Leave me a comment below because I love hearing from you. Forward to a friend, share on Facebook and see you back here next week as we look at joyous freedom in your own life. -M