Can you honestly say that, prior to every decision, you first consider what God desires? If we would adopt the practice of praying before making a choice, we would experience a much more fulfilling life. In his final pearl of thirty wise sayings, King Solomon taught: “Fear the LORD and the king, my son, and do not join with rebellious officials, for those two will send sudden destruction on them, and who knows what calamities they can bring” (Proverbs 24:21-22).

The opposite of obedience is rebellion. Most of us would soften the description of our behavior outside God’s design to something in the realm of a “mistake” or being “misguided.” However, all disobedience is rebellion against God. When we eagerly partner with those who choose life apart from Him, we find ourselves knocking on the door of destruction. Jesus referred to Saul’s rebellious behavior as “kick[ing] against the goads” (Acts 26:14). A goad was used by a farmer to prod his ox to move in the proper direction. Oftentimes, an ox would kick back at the goad, immediately sensing the pain of going the wrong direction. The same is true for our relationship with God. Man’s will pushes. God’s will flows. Our Creator is always at work, drawing everyone to Himself. Each microsecond, we are offered a choice. We either surrender to God’s will or push against His desires in favor of our own selfish inclinations, only to experience the subsequent pain.

This week, pray before every decision. Before every text, email, call, message, note, or personal encounter, ask God, “What do you want me to do?” Discover peace that comes from obedience to the Master through a fully surrendered relationship with Him that is fleshed out in your relationships with those around you.

Episode 96: 30 Sayings of the Wise: Friends from mitchkrusetv on Vimeo.