This post reminds me of something else I’ve noticed I struggle with and that is praying God’s will be done. I remember when Chanch and I had serious marital problems early in our marriage. I prayed like crazy that God’s will would be done – because I KNEW it was His will for us to work things out and stay married. But years later when we had trouble conceiving, I had a very difficult time praying for His will to be done because I didn’t know what His will was. What if He didn’t want us to have a baby. I wanted MY will!

Anyway, guess it is the same with obedience – sometimes it is easier than other times!

On the question you posted of obedience out of fear or love…I’d have to say I’m probably close to where you are. Although I have a reverence for God, I no longer have a “I’m afraid of what you’ll do to me” kind of fear. My obedience comes far too many times out of duty. But thanks to the grace of God, I am learning to trust and obey because I love Him and desire for His glory to be seen through my life. This has come (and I’m by no means there completely) through some very difficult times of sifting over the past couple of years where the Lord has been teaching me what it means to trust in HIM ALONE!!!!!