Because I Said So

“Because I said so.” How often during my years of parenting small children did I want to give into frustration because I was tired of cajoling and explaining. I always felt that everything would go so much smoother if I could simply be trusted to call the shots. Afterall, I really did have more information and more experience than my children, right?

Now, after twenty years in my career and countless employees and associates woven in and out of my sphere of influence, I am grateful to have learned that explaining why things have to be done a certain way promotes creative and critical thinking and engenders loyalty. I still have fleeting moments during a crisis when I want to stamp my foot and cry, “Because I said so,” but I am generally able to resist the temptation.

It comes down to trust. With my children, I wanted them to benefit from trusting me without having to comprehend what was often beyond their years to grasp. Radical and immediate obedience might be the difference between life and death.

And I want that kind of obedient heart. One that follows hard after the commands of the Lord. 1 John 2:3-6 in The Message says, “Here’s how we can be sure that we know God in the right way: Keep his commandments. If someone claims, “I know him well!” but doesn’t keep his commandments, he’s obviously a liar. His life doesn’t match his words. But the one who keeps God’s word is the person in whom we see God’s mature love. This is the only way to be sure we’re in God. Anyone who claims to be intimate with God ought to live the same kind of life Jesus lived.”

I cannot have my own way and go my own way and claim to know God. The journey, then, is one in which His way becomes my way. This takes whole-hearted obedience. Trusting that He will enlighten me with all the why’s and where fore’s He deems appropriate to my maturity in Him.

In our dealings with God, He may indeed say, “Because I said so.” But, He will also listen when we ask for Him to reveal His heart to us. Moses wanted to see God’s face, and it was not allowed. What God did, though, was to put Moses in a rocky crevice and cover him with His hand. Then He caused His own goodness to pass before him and, removing His hand, allowed Moses to see His back. (Exodus 33)

Dear one, let us not be afraid to bring all our childlike questions into His presence. Who knows what He might condescend to do? We are safe with our heavenly Father. He is entirely trustworthy. He is inviting us into His heart and His Kingdom, and the pathway is obedience.

Until next week, beloved, submit to His will and see His glory.