RIGHT AWAY, ALL THE WAY AND WITH A HAPPY HEART

Cursed is he who does the work of the LORD deceitfully, And cursed is he who keeps back his sword from blood. (Jeremiah 48:10)

The word deceitfully in Jeremiah 48:10 is also translated as “negligently” in the NASB translation or “with slackness” in the ESV. This verse really caused me to pause and take notice of how I am doing the work the Lord has for me. I find that while I do step out in faith and I eventually do the work He has called me to, I don’t always do it right away. This reminds me of a little saying we have in our house, “Obey right away, all the way and with a happy heart.” I realize that while I eventually do as God commands, I don’t always do it right away, all the way and with a happy heart. In fact, many times I find I will hesitate or question and do things in my time not the Lord’s time; I compromise and do what I am willing to do but not the things I find challenging or unpleasant; and then when I finally give in to the Lord I do it not with a happy heart, joyfully, but kicking and screaming making sure to voice my displeasure. The question is, “Is this really obeying God?” Though it is hard to admit, I would say not.

We are all called by God for a purpose to do the work He has for us. This requires us to put Christ first in our life; above our wants and desires, above our children’s activities, above our daily tasks and chores, above our flesh. Yet, so often we give the Lord our leftovers…what is left of our time, our devotion, our energy; but He doesn’t want what is leftover, He wants all of you and all of me. Only then can we fully experience the life and the joy the Lord has for us. I want to experience God completely; in all His glory, all His wonder, all His righteousness, and all His love. How beautiful and glorious that would be and all it takes is for me to put the Lord where He desires to be, where He deserves to be…FIRST. How will you put the Lord first today?

COACH’S CALL TO ACTION

• Where do you put the Lord in your life? What do you give priority to over the Lord your God?
  
• What is the work the Lord is calling you to?
  
• What would it look like to obey God right away, all the way and with a happy heart?
  
  
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