Obedience That Doesn’t Make Sense

​​Obedience doesn’t always make sense. In fact, the more we grow in relationship with God, what He asks us to do can seem to make no sense at all. Recently, I was asked to decorate for an event at the church I attend. As I followed the instructions given to me to build an elaborate photo backdrop, my own opinions about what blesses God began to creep up on me. I found myself criticizing the level of extravagance expected and the time and resources required for something that would eventually be deconstructed anyway.

​I struggled with devoting so much of my time to the project when I felt there were other, more pressing needs I could focus on for God. I resisted this kind of offering because I couldn’t understand its value, like Judas criticizing Mary’s extravagant use of perfume to bless Jesus rather than donating it’s worth to the poor.

I tend to want to serve God in ways that would bless me if I were Him, maybe you do, too. But we are not Him. Our thoughts aren’t His thoughts, and our ways are definitely not His ways.

In reading Exodus 40 and the detailed account of what God desired in the tabernacle’s construction, I’m sure it didn’t all make sense to Moses. Building and setting up the lampstand, altar, courtyard, and other utensils required huge amounts of time, resources and attention to detail. Moses carried out all of these commands, including hanging the massive, ornate curtain that would shield God’s presence from the people.

​Through faithful obedience, he unknowingly constructed an earthly picture of the throne room of heaven. Hanging a curtain that would one day be torn in two was not a waste of Moses’ time or material, it was preparation for heaven’s grand declaration of love to humanity through the cross. Moses obediently hung a curtain that Jesus would obediently tear in two. Keeping the commands of God with this kind of trust and surrender is how we declare to God our love for Him. It’s a physical representation of our faith in His sovereignty, goodness, and promises.
 
Following instructions we understand requires logic, but following instructions we don’t understand requires faith. God isn’t pleased when we carry out our own ideas of what His plan for us should be. He simply asks us to do what He says. When we trust Him over our own understanding, it blesses Him and deepens our relationship with Him.
 
Turns out, it wasn’t a photo backdrop God was after, it was His daughter’s heart. He desired her willingness to construct it just because He asked her to. And Him revealing more of who He is to me made the experience more than worth it.
 
If you’re facing a task today that has you scratching your head, be encouraged. We may not understand the assignment, but obediently doing the work needed to finish it will surely result in a deeper understanding of our loving Instructor. He isn’t after what we can do for Him, He is after our hearts.

Memory Verse: “Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them.” John 14:21 NIV

About the Author

Hi, I'm Kelly Orlowski and I'm a wife, full-time mother, and part-time seminary student. I live with my husband and four children in Franklin, TN. A former social worker, I’m the founder of Lady Crew Apparel, and passionately fight against human trafficking. I love seeing hearers become doers, and reminding doers to keep listening. Connect with Kelly at www.wearladycrew.com