Sending Kathryn off to Chinese pre-school each morning seems an adventure for which I always feel unprepared. Pep talks and negotiations pepper our conversation as we make the drawn-out 5 minute journey. First we send her sister Ellie to her classroom. Then we take the long flight of stairs to Kathryn’s class—and then come the tears. I can understand why she has had such a rough adjustment—none of her teachers or classmates speak English! Yet, we trudge ahead, seeking a entrée into our host culture for the hearts of our children.
The scene was no different this morning as we began our goodbyes. Her teacher caught me before I slipped out and informed me that all the students needed to wear a special uniform for the upcoming sports contest. She handed me Kathryn’s outfit—a red jumpsuit with 3 Teletubbies adorning the front. Kathryn was first unimpressed, then incredulous, and finally yelling “No, I won’t!” at the top of her lungs. I quickly excused us into the neighboring room to lay down the gauntlet. I had to agree that the outfit was ugly, but obedience becomes a different matter.
“Kathryn, mommy understands that you do not want to wear this outfit. And I know you feel afraid of the sports contest. But your teacher is asking you to put this on, and you need to obey your teacher. Your teacher would never ask you to do something unsafe. You need to trust her—even if you feel afraid—and obey.” We stopped and asked Jesus’ help for the seemingly impossible.
Did she emerge submissive and victorious? Well, sort of…some may deem begrudging obedience better than none at all! As I left I told her, “Kathryn, mommy is very proud of you. Jesus is proud of you too. You obeyed even though you didn’t want to. That’s what big girls do.”
As I departed, I began to wonder how often mommy acts like a big girl. The commands I would like to drill into Kathryn on the way to school—Do not fear; Be anxious for nothing; Be thankful in all things—are all areas of my struggle as well. Does Kathryn see me as one who obeys even when I am afraid? Do I choose thankfulness in the midst of uncertainty and trust over anxiety? Jesus did.
It feels belittling to Him to consider Jesus a model of obedience. Can One who commands the universe by His powerful Word stoop to submit Himself to another? Yet these stand as striking testimonies of the condescension of our Savior—our example and encourager in obedience.
Of course Jesus obeyed, you say. I mean He’s…Jesus! We know that Jesus did obey, and we may assume that there was no other option for Him. But if it was not a genuine possibility that He might disobey, then we might have a case against Him. Yet when He took on flesh, the Lord of the Universe opened Himself to the real possibility that He could, in fact, chose to sin. In order to relate to our struggle He does not need to have experienced sin. Rather, He truly knows the struggle—and He was victorious!
When I consider the commands of the Scriptures given by our Lord, He is not perched over me as an unfeeling authority removed from the struggles of life. Rather He stands next to me as a model and cheerleader reminding my heart of the joy of obedience. Whether wearing a Teletubbies outfit, running from fleshly temptations, or rejecting lies and fears that turn our hearts astray, our Lord delights in His children who trust and treasure Him enough to obey.
Our Lord,
When I consider the obstacles set before You in your earthly journey, I am humbled. You created the universe by your powerful Word, yet you submitted yourself to your Father’s will. Thank you for obeying that I might know you—and in knowing you, find strength and delight unto obedience. Strengthen my feeble heart to faithfully trust and obey you today.
Amen.
Questions for further reflection:
- Spend some time today reflecting on the obedience of Jesus. What are the images the Scriptures portray as we consider Jesus as model for our walk of faith?
- Which commands of Scripture do you find hardest to obey? How does your heart respond as you hear these commands spoken? Do you view God as a stern disciplinarian berating your failure, or a loving Father cheering you on to grow? How does the example of Jesus inform your thoughts?
- Write out one specific application for the Lord’s guidance in your heart this week. In what area is He asking you to trust Him in the midst of uncertainty, show thankfulness in a troubling situation, or take a risky step of faith?
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