This year my goal is to read the Bible through again. I’m implementing a reading plan that takes me to several different books each day, moving me back and forth from the Old Testament to the New Testament. Though not as faithful as I’d wish to be, I still haven’t missed very many mornings in the Word.

What has witnessed to me the most is the faithfulness of the individuals I read about, and their immediate obedience when called by God. For instance, from my readings in Matthew, I am reminded of Joseph who was a simple carpenter and a fine man. Mary shook up his world with her news of being pregnant, but his love for her kept him from reacting angrily.

While he was pondering what to do about the situation, an angel came to him in a dream to confirm the news Mary had given him and to give him instruction. When Joseph woke from his dream, the Word says he got up and did as he was instructed. At least two other times Joseph was visited by an angel in dreams, and each time Joseph responded with obedience. Joseph’s life went from everyday normal to fantastic overnight, yet the Word points us to his obedience in the face of staggering challenges. It appears he never wavered.

In Genesis God called Abraham to leave his home and go where God instructed. Abraham was obedient to God. He believed so strongly in what God promised him that Scripture tells us Abraham’s faith was credited to him as righteousness.

In the New Testament Jesus taught His disciples that true obedience meant to be willing to take up their cross and follow Him. As my daily readings took me to the book of Acts, I was impressed again by Stephen the deacon, who was full of wisdom and the Holy Spirit. His witness for Christ was so strong that he made the men of position and power uneasy. They conspired together and brought false charges against him. As Stephen stood before them and refuted their accusations, they were pierced by his words and they killed him for it.

I imagine that when he woke up that morning, Stephen had no idea that before the day ended he would die a horribly painful death at the hands of an angry mob. Given what the Word tells me about him, it probably wouldn’t have changed anything about the way he lived that last day, except perhaps to be more zealous in his witnessing. Stephen understood what it meant to take up his cross and follow Christ. His reward was to be able to see Jesus standing at the Father’s right hand interceding for him and waiting to welcome him home.

Further on in Acts I read about Philip the deacon, who was so full of the Holy Spirit that God just transported him around from place to place to be a witness to the world. Can you imagine being used by God in that fashion?

It has become a prayer in my heart that I will follow Him so closely that I don’t have to think about it when the time comes to respond. Like Joseph, Abraham and the others, may my life be an act of obedience in whatever He calls me to do. And may God be glorified in the doing. Ultimately, it’s all about Him.

Claudette Wood
		About the author:
		Claudette Wood has been writing for many years. She has been published in several poetry anthologies, had an article published in Faithwriters online magazine, and wrote her first work of fiction as a contributor of a compiled book, Struggle Creek. As a pastor’s wife, mother of two adult children, and grandmother of three active little boys, Claudette draws from her personal experiences and shares the life-lessons God has placed before her.  Her family—especially her grandchildren-- are the inspiration for much of what she writes. Claudette currently resides in North Carolina with her husband, David.