You gotta obey and listen to those folks!

By: Monique Smith

“Obey ya elders and the people over you baby. That’s what the good Lord wants us to do.”

Sigh.

“But what if those people are straight up TRIPPIN’?!!!”

“You still gotta obey baby”

I’m not sure how many of you all have had a similar conversation, but I find myself struggling real real hard to abide by some of the literature in 1 Peter 2:13-17.

^13-17Make the Master proud of you by being good citizens. Respect the authorities, whatever their level; they are God's emissaries for keeping order. It is God's will that by doing good, you might cure the ignorance of the fools who think you're a danger to society. Exercise your freedom by serving God, not by breaking the rules. Treat everyone you meet with dignity. Love your spiritual family. Revere God. Respect the government. (MSG)

The main thing I struggle with is submitting to authority when I completely disagree with things they do or say, especially when I am forced to participate or follow a new order.  I struggle so much because from my perspective either what they are doing seems pointless or more of a hassle or their orders are extremely strict and something that I am unfamiliar with.

Here is an example in my social life. I went to TGIF Friday’s one night and the rule in that area was past 9 p.m. everyone has to show an Driver’s License to enter, regardless of how old they looked. I was with a group of friends and everyone had their ID except one person, and they turned us back, even though she had other forms of ID. The same thing happened in another area at Friday’s, and it frustrated me because it was a huge inconvenience. I figured, if she could identify herself, she wouldn’t specifically need a license. Ugh! I know that was small and I definitely can understand why they may have such things in place, however, at the time, it was frustrating and I ain’t wanna submit!

Other things happen to me at work, with my family, and at church that I completely disagree with but realize that according to the Word, I have to submit no matter how I feel or what I know. In doing this, God’s will is accomplished AND my obedience may cure the ignorance of people around me.

I honestly don’t know what it is that has me that way, but when something is not logical to me, I have a hard time participating or agreeing with such things. Some people are easy to let it ride, but that’s not me.  I know God has people in leadership for certain reasons and I may be placed in specific situations and struggles with leadership as part of God’s ultimate plan for my life in pruning something in my spirit that isn’t right. 

SOOOOO I need y’all out there to pray with me and if you’re dealing with the same issues, pray for yourself and reach out to others to pray as well. : ) Hope this helped in some way! Be blessed y’all!

Prayer: Whew God. This is a tough one! Sometimes I don’t understand these stupid policies and rules I am faced with at work, at home, and at church.  Lord, help me to be more humble in my spirit and obedient, even if I feel contrary to they way they feel. Lord, I want your will to be done in my life and I don’t want my fleshly desire to interfere with your holiness. God, please help me! In Jesus name, amen.