Learning to Walk in Obedience — Week 2
By Nova Stacy, Pastor’s Wife, Cleburne Church of God, Cleburne, Texas

“Come, let us return to the Lord.  He has torn us in pieces; now he will heal us.  He has injured us; now He will bandage our wounds” (Hosea 6:1, NLT).

There are days in our lives we never forget.  I remember reading something somewhere that said, “Life is not about how many breaths you take, but how many moments that take your breath away.”  I love that saying.  I have had a few of those moments.  For instance, the moment my husband asked me to marry him.  The day we landed in Honolulu, Hawaii to actually live there while my husband fulfilled his commitment to the U.S. Air Force—what a difficult assignment!  The Sunday that the state overseer, Dan Hampton, came to Cleburne to make our pastorate there official.  All of these were “take your breath away” moments for me. 

Then there was Thursday, July 6, 2006—the biggest breath taker yet—the day it was confirmed that I had ALS—more commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s disease.  There isn’t anything like facing an incurable disease to make a person take notice of their breathing.

God, in His infinite mercy, has done such a wonderful thing for me!  He has given me an opportunity to examine myself closer than I might have otherwise.  I asked our gracious God to search me—and I did not like what I saw.  When He showed me, I refused to look.  It was a long time before I was willing to admit to any disobedience in my life.  After all, I am the wife of a pastor.  I work hard.  Everything I do is for God’s glory.  NOT!  My unwillingness to admit to any disobedience was in itself, rebellion.

I feel like a child, just learning to walk, but in obedience now, not rebellion.  A whole new world is opening up for me.  I am finally willing to let God break me.  But the most wonderful thing is, after the breaking, the healing can finally begin.  Jesus brings NEW life, gives NEW breath, and a FRESH touch, all of which take my breath away!  Not only that, but as I learn to walk in obedience to His Word—my faith level is rising as a result.  I am no longer looking at a hopeless future—but a glorious healing.  Talk about breathing!  Get out the paper sack—I just might hyperventilate!

Thought for the Day:  Let God in your life.  Admit areas of disobedience, repent and let God heal you both physically and spiritually.  God must be first in your life.  Be willing to pay the price.  And remember, you get what you pay for.

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