Running Wild

I want to be wildly obedient to God.

Not just go to church on Sunday obedient.

Not just buy a Bible study, make sure my daughter is in a Christian daycare, pray before meals and bedtime obedient.

Wildly.

Willing to carve the time out of my to-do list to make God a priority. To actually open that Bible study and dig deep into Scripture even though it scares the daylights out of me – because what if God has a big word in there for me and then I have to do something about it?

I want to spend more time in the working hours of my day filling my head and heart with less daytime television and more worship because this job is from God and these skills are the gifts He’s given me, and I want this little corner desk beside my refrigerator to feel like it’s a precious place.

I want to be wildly obedient to the call God has put on my life to encourage, to mother, to learn to be the kind of wife He calls me to be and my husband needs me to be. My heart is aching to be filled with God’s peace and presence while I do the million mundane tasks that home-ownership and toddlers and meals require. I want to be wildly obedient in the ordinary. I want to show up each morning with an expectant heart, looking for God in the day-to-day.

Some days? Obedience might look like writing this post, when the enemy keeps trying to steal my words, confidence, hope, and passion. Or maybe it’s choosing to show up to a gathering with friends when I’d rather stay in the comfort zone of home. Other days, it might be willing to dream big – not just for others but for myself – and then doing something about the vision God puts on my heart. Every day? It’s remembering that chasing like crazy God’s purpose for my life is going to look messy and uncoordinated, like a little kid running full out on a hot summer day. But – the joy. Oh the joy of the freedom to simply run unhindered, hair everywhere, arms flailing, feet kicking toward the goal God has for me.

Not your finish line.

Not your dream.

Mine.

And it’s likely that it’s going to look very different from yours, and probably very ordinary. But whether God is asking me to spend time in the quiet with Him or go boldly on a new and scary adventure, I want to have a heart that says “yes.” Almost before He’s done asking the question – because even though I might fail, or it might not turn out exactly the way I imagined, or it might take longer than I thought possible – wild obedience is success. And it is worship.

Silence is praise to you,

Zion-dwelling God,

And also obedience.

You hear the prayer in it all.

We all arrive at your doorstep sooner

or later, loaded with guilt,

Our sins too much for us—

but you get rid of them once and for all.

Blessed are the chosen! Blessed the guest

at home in your place!

We expect our fill of good things

in your house, your heavenly manse.

All your salvation wonders

are on display in your trophy room.

Earth-Tamer, Ocean-Pourer,

Mountain-Maker, Hill-Dresser,

Muzzler of sea storm and wave crash,

of mobs in noisy riot—

Far and wide they’ll come to a stop,

they’ll stare in awe, in wonder.

Dawn and dusk take turns

calling, “Come and worship.”

 Psalm 65:1-8, MSG

***

I had this post on my heart for awhile, and since today is also the day tickets for Declare Conference go on sale, I thought it was the right time to hit “publish.” Wouldn’t you just know it? This year’s theme for my very favorite blogging conference is: “Wild Obedience.” I think they’re my people 😉 They didn’t ask me to write this (heck, they might not even like it), but I’d love to see you there this year!

What does wild obedience look like for you?