My husband’s not a schmoozer. He’s not one to say something for the purpose of inflating an ego, and he’s not one to walk-in-a-straight-line-and-follow-the-rules, either. He’s more of the envelope-pusher, hard question-asker, brutally-honest type-of-guy. He’s the person you want for a friend {if you want someone with the guts to call you on your crap}, and he’s the guy you call when you need inspiration {if you want a faith that gets you off the couch}.
Honestly, he is the greatest leader I’ve ever followed.
But, sometimes. Sometimes it’s hard to be married to a non-schmoozer. Because people that don’t schmooz typically question the obvious, challenge the status quo, and risk the whole-kitty on conviction or vision. And, this type of dive-deeper-living is consistently uncomfortable– especially for us don’t-rock-the-boat-so-much and just-be-nice types. And yet, as unpleasant as it may feel at times, my husband sees the world and faith and God in ways I so often miss.
For example.
The other morning we were talking over coffee, and Matt told me about a guy he spoke with– how this person heard God’s desire for his life, and followed in obedience despite great risk. How this person’s story, post-hard-obedience, resulted in more money, greater blessing, and opportunities galore.
Essentially, stars aligned, ministry flourished, the calling was confirmed.
And the assumed conclusion from the conversation was an obvious one, and one which typically flies past unnoticed by my sometimes-naive view of practical theology –
If you follow and obey God, it will always work out for you.
And then, my other-side-of-the-coin-husband dropped the zinger that made me look through prosperity to see more gospel-truth. He said, simply {and with passion, because non-schmoozers are the convicted-kind}–
If you follow and obey God, it will always work out for God. There’s no promise about it working out for you.
Sigh.
Yes, true.
Because some people obey God and their ministry falls apart.
Some people love others radically and end up divorced, anyway.
Some people step out of the boat in faith, and really nearly drown;
Some Christ-follow, and “fail.”
And I am reminded, once again, that there is no “if-then” equation with following God–
And maybe he never said there would be.
And maybe I’m really glad there isn’t.
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Food for thought: Do you agree with Matt’s statement about obedience? What about passages in the Bible that do talk about blessings for obedience? Do you think in Christian circles, we assume “successful” obedience has more merit than “unsuccessful” obedience?
photo credit: ben watson
LauraParkerBlog.com.
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