Obedience is the Very Best Way to Show…

When our children were young, my sister introduced her family and mine to a song called, “Obedience is the Very Best Way to Show that You Believe.”  I especially remember my little niece, Elisa, singing this and other songs she learned from her mother.  Elisa was a cuddly, curly haired girl with a surprisingly low and scratchy voice.  She sang swaying back and forth on each foot, singing in her raspy voice.  It was so humorous and darling.  I have a recording of her singing, “My God is So Big” when she was 2 1/2.  When she was a few years older, she sang this song— “Obedience is the very best way…”  I contacted my sister, who is an expressive, crazy Kindergarten teacher (takes a lot to keep up with those munchkins), to ask her for all the words to this song.  It goes this way:

“Obedience is the very best way to show that you believe.

Doing exactly what the Lord commands. Doing it happily.

Action is the key. Do it immediately. Joy you will receive.

Obedience is the very best way to show that you believe.

O-B-E-D-I-E-N-C-E !!!

Obedience is the very best way to show that you believe. *

Hearing little ones sing these big words is so humorous, but they can do it, and as time passes, with guidance, they learn what the words mean!

I know that our children at school struggle with being obedient.  Hmm.  Don’t we adults understand! The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. Here at TCS, we have defined 57 character qualities that we believe express the wholesome character of Christ, needing to take root within each of us.  I’ve written about agape love, which really is the entire enchilada – all the perfections of Christ rolled into one attribute. Obedience is another key characteristic that incorporates many character qualities.

We define obedience this way: Listening and following instructions, with a good attitude, without excuse or delay (John 14:15; Ephesians 6:1).  I’d like to invite parents and grandparents to meditate on this meaning and consider how you exhibit this quality in your home and how you guide your children and grandchildren in expressing obedience.

Is obedience an adult issue?  Yes it is!!  Core to the etymology of this word in both Greek and Latin is the idea of “hearing” or “listening.”  You hear the knock, knock, knock.  Are you going to answer the door?  Is it the door of your heart?  Who is knocking?  Is it your conscience?  Jiminy Cricket?  Or is it the Lord?  Is the Holy Spirit speaking through your conscience?

 Do you want to please God? Do you want to be happy?

Happy or blessed is the person who obeys the Lord (John 13:17).

“Action is the key. Do it immediately. Joy you will receive. . . .”

*Check out childrensbiblesongs.us . This site has lots of sweet children’s songs which are also good for adults!