No, Daddy: A Lesson in Obedience

Barefoot.  Blithe.  Basking.  Free spirits like mine thrive on beaches.  Sand and shore are God’s invitation to run and play, to wander aimlessly and explore, to drink in the splendor of a sunrise or sunset, peaceful and serene.  Well, almost peaceful.

A little boy appearing 2-3 years old raced up and down the shoreline just out of reach of pounding waves as he loudly snapped, “No, Daddy!”  Every effort of the father to grab his hand was slapped away.  When finally the father did get hold of a hand the child plopped down on his bottom in the sand, refusing to budge.  Another loud, “NO, Daddy!”  The father maintained his grip and pointed down shore.  “This way, son,” he said sternly.  Immediately, the toddler fell flat on his back, screaming, pounding fists and flailing legs, kicking up a cloud of sand.  After a few minutes of mayhem the child lay silent and still, red-faced and spent.  Dad crouched down beside him to talk. 

In a burst of amplified rebellion the boy pounced to his feet and darted straight for the ocean.  The father quickly followed with not even a hint of surprise on his face.  A willfully disobedient child pushing the limits of defiance and danger didn’t catch him off guard.  He’d witnessed this behavior before, probably many times.  Unaware of the danger, the boy catapulted his body into oncoming waves.

The father scooped up his soaked, screaming son out of a torrent of frigid water, hugged the trembling tot tightly to his body, returned him to safety and wrapped him in a beach towel.  As the boy gasped for breath, I heard the father calmly declare, “Enough, son.  I love you but you have to stay close to me and obey me or there will be serious consequences.”

There were people on the beach oblivious to the child’s belligerence and probably others who might have cheered a hard butt-dusting for the toddler.  {I’ll leave it to your imagination which category I fell into.}   I marveled as this little ball of defiance melted into the arms cradling him to keep him warm and safe.  I marveled even more at the father’s great restraint and wisdom.  He knew exactly what the frightened child needed in that moment.  Despite what incredulous onlookers might have applauded, the father offered patience and mercy.

My heart ached as I realized how many times as a grown woman I have acted the part of a defiant toddler.  To be sure, my rebellion is much more sophisticated than that of a tiny tot, but the heart posture is the same.  I may even appear calm on the outside, but inside I can be kicking, whining and demanding.  How many times when God clearly pointed the way, have I responded with, “No, Daddy.”?

Taking the stance, “I want what I want and I want it YESTERDAY!” I’ve chased the wind and wandered dangerously close to treacherous waters.  On at least a couple of occasions I felt my Father’s hand rescue me from raging currents positioned to lap me up and pull me under. 

In the midst of my rebellion my heavenly Daddy exercises patience and demonstrates divine mercy.  He blankets me in his love, gripping me tightly and he will not let me go.   His warning is calm yet clear, if I don’t remain close to him, there could be serious consequences.

 Today my Abba/Daddy reminds me that it is not enough to appreciate his long-suffering, not even sufficient to love him for his protection and be grateful for his mercy.  The Father expects his children to obey.  He knows what is best for us.  He points the way and holds our hand but He will not drag us against our will kicking and screaming.  It is our free will to behave like toddlers and refuse his divine direction.  But oh, how much we will miss in doing so.

The prophet Nehemiah proclaimed:

“Oh Lord, God of heaven, you are a great and mighty God who faithfully keeps covenant with those who LOVE thee and OBEY thy commandments…” Nehemiah 1:5

Three principles jump out at me in this Scripture: 

~Love and obedience go hand in hand. 

~God is great and mighty.  By His sheer might He could coerce his children to obey but He doesn’t. Instead he offers us free will.

~God’s favor rests on those who choose to love & obey.  He is faithful to keep covenant with those who engage in loving obedience.

Our heavenly Daddy is not intent on crushing the free spirit in us.  On the contrary, He delights in bare feet and a blithe disposition.  Yet He loves us enough not to allow us to run amuck in the face of spiritual peril.   What’s more, He longs to bestow blessings and favor upon us when we heed his voice and obey his commands.  Wow.  Now there’s something we can bask in.

Guided Gliding

Against the majestic backdrop of Colorado’s lush Front Range Foothills, USAFA single engine Piper Cubs hummed over my head.  An early morning errand found me on the Air Force Academy at the north end of Colorado Springs.  After several chilly overcast June days causing me to debate whether or not to turn the heat back on, sun-kissed blue skies were a welcomed relief.

The familiar sight of small aircraft each towing a glider greets me often on the Academy.  Yet today I was particularly captivated by the exercise. 

I recalled a recent conversation with a dear friend who earnestly longs to be in the center of God’s will but who, like many Christ followers…myself included…often wonders if he is on the right path.   Questions were posed, “How do we ever know for sure which way God is leading?  What if we mess it up?” 

In this moment of pondering these questions anew, God directed my eyes to the aerial display.  I watched in fascination as the planes pulled gliders attached by a very strong but lightweight cable, almost invisible from below, across the Colorado sky.

USAFA gliders are structurally identical to Piper Cubs  with one distinct exception—gliders have no engine.  Only the Piper Cub has power. To become airborne, a glider is totally dependent upon the airplane.  Whether a glider rises or falls is within the careful control of the plane’s pilot.  Fortunately, because of extensive training completed by the Piper pilot, he is skilled to know precisely what he is doing.  A glider pilot may have complete confidence in his instructor’s watchful eye. 

The two travel in sync together, aided by constant radio contact back & forth.  The plane leads, rises, then levels off while the glider pilot is tasked simply with following and learning.   The ultimate goal is to teach new pilots the most basic fundamentals of flight in the most pure and simple method possible.  Zoomies, as these cadets will be referred to upon graduation, are learning to maximize the ability to fly without a power source of their own.

The glider pilot may position his hands on his steering yoke or stick, but he accepts that while he is in tow the controls are not significantly at his command.  He can steer left or right to some degree but primarily he is there to follow at a designated distance on a predetermined path, trusting in the power and wisdom of the one who leads.  He is where he is, high above a mundane concrete runway, soaring to new heights only because he accepts his position of attachment and followership.  In submission and following, he is secure. 

As soon as a glider detaches from the airplane, it will begin to fall to the earth.  Powerless to regain altitude all the pilot can do is glide, trying to keep his vessel steady as he descends.  As it moves closer and closer to earth, prevalent winds determine where the glider lands.  Typically at USAFA it is to the South.

As followers of Christ we must accept that our power to live a life honoring to Him comes from a source other than self.  At the moment of conversion to Jesus, we are gifted with the power of the Holy Spirit. 

“You shall receive power after the Holy Spirit comes upon you…” Acts 1:8

 The Spirit alone, dwelling in us lifts us to new heights and causes us to follow on the right path.

 “Know you not you are the temple of God and the Spirit of God dwells in you?”  I Co 6:19

 “I will put my Spirit in you and cause you to walk in my statutes and you shall keep my commandments and live by them.” Ezekiel 36:27

The connection, much like the cable between aircraft, is intensely strong to hold us but not heavy to weigh us down.  It never becomes a burden.  In our attachment to the Spirit we are given freedom to make adjustments in our positions.  Some decisions to dip to the left or curve right are within our purview but they will not significantly alter the course we travel.

More importantly, in a posture of submission under His watchful eye we cannot mess up the journey. 

 “I will teach you and guide you in the way in which you should go.  I will keep you under my eye.”  Psalm 32:8 NEB

Only when we detach from the power source do we begin to lose altitude and struggle to keep our lives steady on our own.  This is when we risk veering off course and possibly landing South of God’s path for us or worse, we could crash and burn.

When our connection is tight and communication channels are open to hear from our Instructor, we may relax and be at peace.  We don’t fret over which way to turn but instead we trust fully in the wisdom of the One who leads.  The more we look straight ahead keeping our hands off the controls, the more we are pulled in the right direction. 

“You gave your Spirit to instruct them…” Ne. 9:20

We are not abandoned, at the mercy of every wind blowing our way.  Rather, we are securely tied by the bonds of transformation as the Spirit moves in our lives to make us more like the One we follow.  Whether we rise or whether we fall depends entirely upon our willingness to remain firmly attached to our power source.  He leads.  He guides.  We share in the thrill of the adventure, hanging on for the ride.   In so doing, we ascend to heights we could never have accomplished on our own.

Waiting…again

Strength will rise as we wait upon the Lord…

Stillness does not come easy for me.  I find myself in another season of waiting, this time for a phone call from my physician. My mind is full of jumbled thoughts.  In the grips of apprehension escape to find time alone with the Lord becomes a priority.

Less than a quarter mile north of Roosevelt National Forest on Hwy 34 E lies a piece of real estate heaven called Dripping Springs Inn.  Without question the entire Estes Park, CO, area is extraordinarily scenic.  Yet something about this particular mountain retreat calls my heart to return again and again when solitude is beckoning. 

Dripping Springs is a quaint collection of small cottages and a B & B snuggled up to the Big Thompson River. Arriving  at the break of dawn, this place is as sleepy as I am. 

I’ve been coming here for years and it has never appeared more inviting.  Only a few short steps down a concrete stairway and I am immersed in woods.  A small walking trail outlined by rocks on each side follows the river.

Fire pits encircled by outdoor chairs dot the landscape and my mind’s eye envisions last night’s guests warming themselves in the cool mountain evening as they swapped life stories.  Small canopies will partner with ample aspen and prolific pine trees to offer shade in the afternoon.  Further on down the trail a wheel barrow rests against an old shed. 

 

Backing up to the river, a wooden platform with its tall, white wrought iron arch conjures up images of a blissful bride and groom exchanging vows.  

At last my eyes land on my favorite spot in this idyllic hideaway…an oversized hammock dangling between two aspen.  Over the years God has cradled me here as I penned numerous private thoughts, praying countless prayers for wisdom on various issues confounding my senses.  Here, too Scripture has often come alive for me as I incline my ear to hear from the Lord.

I sprawl into the swaying paradise and begin to sing praises in competition with raucous waves .  The Thompson is raging with waters higher than I have observed in 20 years.  As the river races furiously downstream, mud and silt paint the surface a copper hue crowned with white foam.  Swirling, crashing into boulders at a frantic pace, water bounces into the air and explodes like liquid fireworks.  The sight brought laughter and feeble attempts to photograph the elusive spray.

I wondered audibly, “God, why is wisdom so often this elusive to me?”  In the midst of the river’s thunderous roar I heard His silent reply, “Wisdom danced with me before waves were ever formed, before the foundations of earth were laid.  Wisdom is mine to give and it’s plentiful but it is not for those who utter a casual request.  Wisdom belongs to those who earnestly seek me.”

Recently I spoke to a group of single women about the necessity of waiting on God.  Today I groan over how long I’ve gone without a purposeful retreat alone with my Lord, to quietly wait on Him, seek Him, and hear from Him. 

The morning sun peeks down the canyon walls and smiles on my face as I read God’s Word,   

“You make me glad by your deeds, oh Lord.  I sing for joy at the work of your hands.” Psalm 92:4

 “Let the rivers clap their hands, let the mountains sing together for JOY” Psalm 98:8

“Praise the Lord, O my soul, all my inmost being praise his holy name. Praise the Lord, O my soul and forget not his benefits.  Who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.” Psalm 103:1-5 

Reaching into a folder for paper to jot down my thoughts I came across notes from my earlier talk to the singles… “my two least favorite words paired together? ‘Waiting patiently’.  I’m not good at it, never have been.”

Jesus beckons me to wait on God.  All through his earthly journey He exemplified the importance of withdrawing for time alone with the Father.  Christ’s final act of obedience before his arrest leading to his crucifixion involved a time of waiting in the Garden.  Friends had accompanied him but ultimately He waited alone while they slumbered.  It was in the waiting, seeking, praying, that He mounted up strength to face his destiny at Calvary.  To have approached the Cross without a time of waiting before God, would have meant to forgo the strength required to endure eminent suffering.

Christ’s example compels me.  His invitation is not to be missed.  He says, “Come to the Garden of waiting and find strength for whatever lies ahead.”

None of us know what tomorrow holds.  If we have been a follower of Christ for any length of time we know that this path we walk is not always smooth.  Yet in moments alone with Him, earnestly seeking, expectantly waiting, Christ re-emerges as the sole longing of our hearts.  In the process, He speaks and our path supernaturally becomes level again.

“The path of the righteous is level. O upright one, you make the way of the righteous smooth.  Yes Lord, walking in your ways, we wait for you.  Your name and renown are the desires of our hearts.  My soul yearns for you in the night; in the morning my spirit longs for you.” Isaiah 26:8-9