Just Do What He Says

With both my husband and myself working from home, we are privy to each other’s online conversations. I had heard him share this example many times before, but on this particular morning, it struck me in a new way.

He was sharing the familiar story of Jesus turning the water into wine at the wedding in Cana, and he asked the person on the other end of the call to read the verses out of John 2. Mary was very blunt, “just do whatever he tells you!”

I heard my husband ask, “So what do you think the servants thought when they were told to fill the ceremonial water jugs with water?” I didn’t hear the rest of the conversation as my mind reflected on my response to the things that Jesus tells me.

The servants must have wondered what in the world Jesus was thinking. They needed wine to serve, not water in basins meant to hold water for their ceremonial cleansing. But Mary had been fervently clear about being obedient to Jesus’ commands, “Do what he says!”

I thought back to when our children were small and we told them that delayed obedience was disobedience. This was usually in response to their promise that they were going to do something we had told them to do, but they just hadn’t done it yet.

How often do I hear that still small voice telling me to pick up the phone and call someone or to drop off a gift of flowers for a friend going through hard times? But then, as the day goes on, I get busy, and the task is never done. Or in answer to a prayer I have prayed, I get an answer I wasn’t prepared for or didn’t like.

How about you? Have you been obedient and then later found out how God worked in someone’s life as a result? Or have you struggled to follow through and then wished that you had just done that thing God had impressed upon your heart?

Dear Lord Jesus, Thank you that you still speak to me today. Help me to recognize your voice and then just do what you say. Give me ears to hear and a heart to obey. Amen.

Throughout this Day: We don’t always have to understand why we need to do something, or know what the outcome will be. Instead we need to just do whatever Jesus tells us to do and know with full confidence that he is not only at work but will work for good in each situation. What is it that he is telling you to do today? Don’t question it. Just do whatever he tells you to do.