Spiritual Beliefs
'I don't want your improvements, I want your obedience'
By Dr. Tim Huie First Baptist Church Jackson

I'm sure I wasn't much different from most other boys, especially when it came to obeying my parents. Most of the time I did it, but not with a glad heart! I remember once that my father asked me to help him with a project he was working on outside. He gave me a very clear set of instructions, and then left me to carry them out.

As I thought about his instructions, they just didn't make much sense to me. So, I decided I would "improve" on Dad's instructions. I made some "improvements" that in my mind made much more sense! Funny thing about my improvements: they really weren't improvements at all. As a matter of fact, once Dad explained what came next, I realized that my improvements would have to be undone completely, and I would have to start all over!

I can still remember what he said to me that day. "Son, when I tell you to do something, I don't want your improvements. I want your obedience!"

That is the way our Heavenly Father feels, too. Once when King Saul had disobeyed God and offered some sacrifices God didn't want, God said through the prophet Samuel "To obey is better than sacrifice!" In other words, "Saul, I didn't want your improvements to my commands. I wanted your obedience!"

I wonder what areas of my life and yours God would say that about today? "I don't want your improvements. I just want your obedience!"

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