An Invitation of Obedience

Advent Reading

On Sunday in our final Episode of our “Thrill of Hope” Advent series, we spent time connecting with a key theme that is highlighted in the Christmas story: regular people (like you and me) stepping into God’s plan through obedience to His invitation and instructions. We keyed in on Joseph because his story consistently shows him stepping into what God instructed and rerouting his own life to engage with God’s plan (to literally change the world).

For Joseph, obedience wasn’t a moment, it was an alignment that changed the trajectory and purpose of his entire life. His obedience went far beyond a quick action. Everything he chose had huge ramifications! Stay engaged to a girl who is pregnant. Adopt a son that isn’t yours. Uproot your family and move away from everything you know!

Take a moment and reflect on the nitty gritty of his choices. They weren’t easy or simple. Obedience made his life messy and was costly. But the opportunity to join in the grand story God designed for his life was so worth it!

Joseph’s obedience wasn’t static, it was dynamic. It wasn’t to please God, it was to participate with Him. Obedience to God didn’t guarantee Joseph safety, comfort, or even stability, but it did guarantee his life wouldn’t be wasted pursuing things that didn’t matter in the eternal scheme!

The kind of obedience that is described in the Christmas story isn’t a formula…it’s an unfolding.

We find the ultimate example of that in Jesus. Read this and see not only the example but also the story you are invited into when you bend your knee and will to his love and his purposes for your life!

The God of OBEDIENCE, who can ask it of us because WE FIRST SAW IT IN HIM!

“You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had: Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross.

Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor and gave him the name above all other names, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

That’s the Christmas story!
Obedience that don’t lead to bondage, but unleashes freedom.

Advent Activation

Ask God to highlight someone to encourage today and follow through with it right now! Practice obedience that invites you into His unfolding story and watch how it impacts others!