Several years ago, my husband discovered Inky Johnson’s testimony, and it was so powerful that we ended up showing it to our youth at the time. We quote so many things from Inky but one of the things that has been especially moving to me has been his view on commitment. He quoted Orebela Gbenga’s definition which says, “Commitment means staying loyal to what you said you were going to do long after the mood you said it in has left you.” That’s so powerful, and it’s so true. I mean just think about your exercise schedule. I’ll be honest and say the me who makes the exercise plan in the evening is not the same me who wakes up to execute it the next morning. I’m “feeling” it at 9 in the evening, but when that next day comes, I find that I’m not nearly as loyal to those plans!
When seasons of your life change, it can be the same with your faith, or in the interest of full transparency, it is with mine. I’m not the biggest fan of major change I have discovered. As God transitioned us from the last season to this season, part of me was excited for new adventures, but another part was anxious and not crazy about that being permanent or all little things that would change in big ways as a result. I remember one of Shaun’s teammates asking me, “are you ready for this?” and my response being, “I don’t always agree with God, but I do always have to be obedient to Him.”
We had bathed this decision in prayer and while we knew it was going to be a difficult one, we also genuinely believed it was what God was affirming we should do. Shaun more than me because that meant leaving a child (granted he was nearly 20 but still) behind. Shaun was positive and I wasn’t sure, but as the spiritual head of our household, I trust Shaun and we submit to God together. And…. so we took that step of faith. In a lot of ways, it was exciting, and we’ve gotten to experience some really awesome things, but there have also been some really tough, really not so good very bad days and more tears than I could count. It’s those days that test your commitment to being obedient.
Sometimes you just have to choo choo on and let obedience be the engine and your feelings be the caboose. There’s some days I just don’t “feel” it, maybe because its difficult, maybe because it hurts, maybe because I’m tired, maybe because I’m lazy, but I still must respond to those days with the same level of commitment I “feel” on the good days when things are going swimmingly. I’ve experienced more than one day that I just wanted things to go back to the comfort and familiarity of the way they were, but I press on towards the goal and God gives me little affirmations (which I totally don’t deserve, and He doesn’t have to provide) along the way. Paul wrote in 1Corinthians Chapter 9:24-27 about self-discipline and running your race so as to obtain the prize.
I don’t know about ya’ll, but if I just hop up from this computer and go out to run a race I really hope the EMT’s are close! I have so much respect for runners and the way they train and are so self-disciplined so that they are able to run long distances. I’m sure they don’t always “feel” it, but they run anyway. This is the same with our obedience to Christ, it takes being self-disciplined on the days we don’t “feel” it to build a track record of obedience. Sometimes it takes becoming untethered to your feelings and tethered to that commitment you made to Christ to be obedient, and like Paul says, sometimes you have to beat your body into submission!
Raychel Writes 
2 responses to “Untethered Obedience”
Miss Raychel!!! I am SO glad you’ve started this blog. I miss hearing your passionate, on fire for God teaching in our youth room, going to Whataburger on a Sunday night, the conversations with you on the way there and back, just all of it. You and your family moving wasn’t just a trial for y’all, but for us as well. Though it was much harder for y’all than me, I still felt like I had lost, not only teachers, but my friends, and an amazing role model. I considered you my mentor. I still tear up whenever I think about how awesome it was having y’all with us. The fellowship, the Depp spiritual lessons, the shenanigans. Y’all came into my life at a very hard time for me, in a time I felt down and hungry for God’s Word and no drive to even start. I had a tiny spark, but it was starting to flicker and dim. But y’all picked me up and dragged me along, teaching me so many things I will never EVER forget. And not just an understanding of scripture, but plenty of memorable actions and quotes to help. “People of Athens!…” (Acts 17:22) will never be read without wanting to jump onto a chair. 😉 “You can’t say you’re going to Crockett and then head to Palestine.” “READ.YOUR.BIBLE.” “Anything you want to Add, Subtract, Multiply, or Divide?” (Or was is Subtract, Divide, Multiply, Add? :’) “Stop arguing with Tristan” (Okay that one was a little more direct than most of y’all’s quotes… And almost always said to me… Huh. Weird.) The silversmith analogy… So many things, so many lessons learned from y’all. Y’all taught me how trials grow us, and how often times we’re going to feel like Peter on the Sea of Galilee, trying to walk on water with the storm surging all around, threatening to drown us. But none of that will matter if we just keep our eyes on Jesus. I grew so much spiritually, and y’all helped equip me with all the tools to understand God’s Word and His message for me and to fulfill Jesus’ command in Matthew 28:19-20, which is to GO and SHARE that message with other people! And so, I can fasten on my armor, take up my sword, and charge into battle. Thank you.
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Oh Mel, I’m bawling like a baby! We love you and your precious family so much! You’ll never grasp the full depth of what your words have just meant to us! Thank you so much! It was and is our honor and privilege to serve along side you and your family as we all grew together!! Therefore, we know exactly what we were there for!!!!!
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