I Won't Do It!--2

The other day, Lynn saw my T-shirt that pictures a stubborn, defiant, and determined child with the inscription, “I won’t do it!” under it. Lynn pointed to the picture and said something like, “That is so not you.” I was surprised by the comment because in my thinking, it really is soooo me. I wondered how many things my family could tell Lynn that I wouldn’t do.

In my conversations with the LORD, I hear the Children of Israel’s stubbornness and rebellion coming from my mouth and thoughts. Some of them are, “It wasn’t my fault, I won’t apologize.” “They were the ones who hurt me. I won’t take the initiative to work things out.” “They have to come to me. I won’t go to them.” “I won’t be merciful because they don’t show any signs of remorse or regret.” “They don’t deserve it. I won’t treat them kindly.” I could go on and on because I have many such conversations with the LORD.

As I thought about this, I was reminded of the parable of the two sons that Jesus talked about in Matthew 21:28-31. A man had two sons and asked the first son to work in his vineyard. The first son said, “I will not,” but later on changed his mind and he went to work. The second son said, “No problem Dad,” but he did not go. Jesus asked, “ Which of the two did what his father wanted?”

In life, God gives us choices. When Jesus asks us to do something, we sometimes develop the “Moses complex.” We tell Jesus why we won’t or cannot do what He asks. But after all is said and done aren’t we like Peter who said, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.”

If we want to continue to be in fellowship with our God and Savior, we really do not have any other choice but to say, “I’ll do it.”