Daryl Hunter – Hubby, Daddy, Mentor, Friend

So, this post is a little different.  Typically those of you that wander in here see me post about Technology.  That's primarily the subject of this blog. You know Gigahertzes, Terabytes, Routes, Switches, Lync, TLA (Three Letter Acronyms) blah blah blah.

But, I need to write about something else this time: Obedience.

My pastor, Jason, at Springdale has recently taught a series called "Chasing Dragons with Plastic Swords."  It has many connotations and meanings, but the basic premise is the futiility of fighting with the wrong weapon.  As a Christ Follower, my primary weapons are Scripture and the Holy Spirit.  Those are the tools/weapons I use to make choices, lead my family, teach my children and hopefully speak a little truth into the lives of my friends and coworkers.  If I fight with the wrong weapons (myself, my choices, my desires, me me me me) then it's like fighting a Dragon with a plastic sword: futile.

During the "Dragons" series, Jason discussed things like Significance, Risk, Authenticity, Suffering, Sexual Integrity, Convicition, Friendship & Meaningful Life.  I encourage you to give them a listen.

Tonight, we had a Church Family meal and Q&A to dive a little deeper into some of the "Dragons" discussions.  The last question went something (not exactly) like this:

"If God saves, and God sanctifies, then what is my role in all of this?  What do I do?"

This is where I have lost some friends, and still have some healthy mutual-disagrements with others.  I believe the Bible when it says that Jesus is the only way to heaven.  I am not a theologian, although I am a Seminary graduate and spent nearly a decade in full-time Ministry.  I believe that God saves me, through faith in Jesus.  I believe that God gave us (people) the gift of the Holy Spirit/Holy Ghost.  The Spirit lives inside us (which sounds gross, but is not) and helps sanctify us.  Sanctification is one of those big $5 words.  The basic premise is making choices, to be more like Jesus.  No, I will not be a god.  I am simply wanting to love people more, making good choices more often, and lead my family and friends likewise.

My role is actually pretty easy: Obedience.  Simple right? Ha!  That's the area I want to spend just a few sentences on.  Obedience has many unhealthy, and unfair, conntations.  Obey your parents, obey your teachers, obey your boss, obey your overbearing spouse, obey your (whatever).  I believe it's pretty easy actually – but it's hard to get started.  The Holy Spirit speaks to us in what the Bible calls a "still small voice."  We have to be in tune to listen to it.  Sometimes the Holy Spirit tells us to do little things – call your dad, tell your mom you love her, don't eat that gross food, go here and don't go there.  Obedience is doing it.  Make the call, say the words, do it or don't do it.

But sometimes, God – through the Spirit – tells us to do scary things – Quit your job.  Adopt a child.  Move across the country or across the world.  Sell your house.  Give that random dude $1,000.  Stop being friends with someone because he or she is a bad influence.  Those things aren't so easy, are they? Whenever I've heard people argue that it's hard to be obedient, it's because they don't know how.  They've never tried and have no experience.

I liken it to the movie "What about Bob?"  People in my lifegroup at Springdale know I talk and give examples based on music, movie and candy choices.  Those of you that randomly came in here don't :)  So, in What about Bob, the therapist that worked with the Bob character helped him make choices and rebuild his life in Baby Steps.  Baby Steps on the bus.  Baby Steps down the aisle.  Baby steps in the seat.

Or, in our case… Baby steps call your dad.  Baby steps tell her you love her.  Baby steps don't hit your kids.  Baby steps don't do that.  Baby steps quit your job.  Baby steps sell your house.  Baby steps whatever… Like anything in life, practice (and have success) and it gets easier. 

In my case, my 6 year old Nathan is learning to tie his shoes.  It's infuriating to him that he doesn't get it right all the time.  It's hard on me to see him fail.  But, slowly, with more practice, he's getting it.  Baby steps make the "bunny ears", baby steps "wrap it around", baby steps "poke the lace through the hole" etc. etc. etc.  Before you know it, he has a knot and is beaming from ear to ear.

To wrap up, tonight at Church one of the guys in the crowd briefly discussed his faith of 60+ years.  Things that are EASY to him (obedience, finding rest, being still) are easy because he's spent a lifetime doing the basics (baby steps).

I hope that when I fast forward another 50 years in my faith journey, I've learned from the baby steps and have taught my children, and grandchildren, and others along the way how to be obedient in the simple things (and the hard things).

What types of things are YOU learning lately?