Nancy Salley: As you listen to this passage, reflect on how obedience and commitment to God shape your relationship with him and his purpose for your life. Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do because you are his dear children. Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God. Ephesians five one and two.
Obedience to God can feel like a challenge. The world teaches us to follow our own will, to assert our independence, and to seek fulfillment on our terms. But God calls us to live differently. He calls us to imitate Christ who perfectly embodied humility and obedience through his sacrifice. When we think about Christ's obedience, it wasn't passive or a mere act of following rules.
His obedience was an active choice, a choice to love us so deeply that he gave himself entirely for us. Jesus demonstrated that true obedience isn't just about checking boxes. It's about giving our whole hearts, offering ourselves as a living sacrifice just as he did for us. As you reflect on this, take a moment to consider the areas in your life where you may be resisting God's calling. Are there parts of your life where you're holding back, unwilling to surrender fully to his plan for you?
Maybe it's a relationship you're not ready to fully give over to him or a fear that keeps you from stepping into his purpose for you. Now take a breath. Let the weight of those areas come to mind and feel God's invitation to let go. Imagine yourself standing at the base of a hill looking up at the path ahead. It feels daunting, steep, and uncertain.
But in the distance, you see Jesus standing at the top waiting for you with open arms. His presence is peaceful, drawing you in. With every step you take toward him, the weight of your fears begins to lift. You feel his love and grace surrounding you, strengthening you with each movement. The path ahead may not be easy, but with each step, you begin to realize that this journey of obedience leads to deeper joy, purpose, and freedom.
The climb isn't just a challenge. It's a transformation. As you walk, you're becoming more like Christ, more attuned to his will, and more able to live out the love he's given you. As you go about this week, may you live with a heart of obedience, reflecting God's love in every action and decision. May you remember that just as Jesus gave himself for you, you are invited to give yourself to him and to others with love and sacrifice.
Let his example guide you, and may you walk in the purpose he's called you to, knowing that his love and his power will carry you through.