A Season for Obedience
“Blessed are all who fear the Lord, who walk in obedience to Him.”
As I went to leave the Safeway self-checkout, I grabbed my grocery bags and glanced at my receipt—only to realize one item had not scanned properly. There was no charge. I was in a hurry and was tempted to leave – it would take too long to redo, and I needed to be on my way. Then, I felt a tug on my heart, because I knew it wasn’t right. So I set the bags down, rescanned the item, pulled my credit card back out, and paid.
If I had done what I was tempted to do, I would have received my reward – I would have been approximately one minute and $7.00 ahead. As I briskly walked to my car, I realized that moment had been a test—a small but significant act of obedience.
I share this story because it’s a simple reminder that God calls us to be obedient in the little things just as much as the big ones. Doing the right thing, even when no one sees, is still seen by Him. While obedience is rarely easy, God knows our hearts—and He blesses those who walk in His ways.
This week, we entered the season of Lent, beginning with Ash Wednesday. Not everyone observes the Lenten Season, but regardless of your religious beliefs, stick with me. Before Easter, which is on April 20th this year, many work to prepare their hearts through prayer, fasting, and giving. While there are technically 46 days between Ash Wednesday and Easter (Sundays do not count), the purpose of this tradition goes back to Jesus’ 40 days in the desert where he fasted and was tempted. In Mathew 4:1-11 of the Bible we read:
Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2 After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. 3 The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.”
4 Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”
5 Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. 6 “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down. For it is written:
“‘He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’”
7 Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’”
8 Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. 9 “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.”
10 Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’”
11 Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.
If Jesus had to face temptation, you can be confident we are no exception. So I ask you: What temptation in your life keeps pulling you away from God’s best? What habit do you hold onto that isn’t serving you well?
To be completely transparent, here are a few of mine:
☕ I drink too much coffee.
🍷 I crave a glass of wine.
📱 I check my phone too often.
What do these temptations look like? A lack of energy. Wasted time. Missed moments.
How much better could life be if I let go of these distractions? Ask me in 40 days.
My challenge for you is to acknowledge whatever temptation God has placed on your heart. Surrender it. When the time comes to do the right thing—even when no one is watching—choose what is better. It won’t always be easy. Temptation presents itself when we are tired, in a hurry, or when no one else will know. Obedience to God’s best is a step of faith, a declaration that we trust God more than our desires.
Remember that God always sees, and He blesses those who follow Him. Obedience may cost you in the moment, but the reward of His favor is far greater than anything you could ever gain by going your own way.
Godspeed, my friend.
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“God is responsible for the consequences of our obedience, WE are responsible for the consequences of our disobedience. ”
