Suffering in the Path of Obedience
Obedience. That was the word I wrote on the board when our senior pastor asked us to write a word which we would like to pursue this year, 2019. I’ve been struggling with obedience since I was child. I could come up with an array of reasons, excuses, and dramas just so I could make my way or get what I want. This year isn’t a stellar year for me. As a matter of fact, I was not able to have a perfect obedience to the Lord. I’ve struggled with walking in the Spirit so that I will not gratify the desires of my flesh (Gal. 5:16). I, like Paul, could feel that pain of his sentiment, “For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate (Rom. 7:15).” Whenever I fall short, I could hear Jesus say, “Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak (Mark 14:38).” Countless days have passed when I wake up asking, “God, why is it so hard to obey?” There was sufferin...