Obedience and the Rebellious Child

God and I were talking, when the conversation veered,
To the topic of obedience… I’d get this quickly cleared.
"It’s an issue of concern, between a parent and the child.
Children must obey the parent, can’t be obstinate and wild."

"The parent in authority, the child is to obey.
I think we’ve covered everything. Why this subject, anyway?
A problem with authority? Rebellious? Surely not!
Let me tell You just how great I am… maybe You forgot."

"It isn’t that I’m stubborn, or looking for a fight.
Perhaps it’s just coincidence, that I am usually right.
Perhaps You’re just mistaken, allow me to remind,
We always do it Your way… when Your way, agrees with mine."

"I follow almost every rule, submissive as can be.
At least the ones that I agree with, the ones I think apply to me.
You asked that I would follow You… remember, I agreed.
You know I always follow You… when You let me lead."

This subject needed changing, how did I end up on trial?
Don’t tell me You’re suggesting, that I am in denial.
And let’s not even go there… with the thing about my pride.
Been there, done that, conquered! Now comes the smile He just can’t hide.

Every time He does that, it touches something deep inside.
All aboard the “Humble Train”… we’re going for a ride!
I know to bring the tissues, I’ve ridden it before.
A fairly frequent passenger… a lot to be restored.

Gently He releases, my foot from Satan’s trap.
And bids me, child, come sit with me… I curl into His lap.
In the comfort of His arms… I feel the train is rolling back.
To find out where I took the wheel, and drove it off track.

It’s really not surprising… what else could I expect?
Every time I try to steer the train, I end up in a wreck.
And there it was, the place I must have stopped to scratch an itch.
His path goes right, and there goes mine… left, into the ditch.

"Blinded by MY vision, I guess I couldn’t see.
Took a little detour from the plan You had for me."
Didn’t think to ask directions, I’d mapped the course instead.
So typical of children, always running on, ahead.

He gave me such a hug, and I relaxed into His chest.
“You’ve been on quite a journey, it’s OK child, get some rest.”
We pulled into the station, I held tightly to His hand.
I asked, “Where are we going?”… for I knew He had a plan.

He smiled, and touched my cheek… “My child, we can walk from here.”
And there it was before me… the path He’d laid, so clear.

Rebellious children, often stray… wander off, and loose our way.
Won’t admit that we are lost, forgetting there will be a cost.
Then busy thinking up excuses… we are rendered lost, and useless.
Trust in Him. His path is true. The Father wants what’s best for you.
Love beyond imagination… lead us to our destination.

1John 3:1
How great is the love the Father has lavished on us,
that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!

Psalm 25:7
Remember not the sins of my youth and my rebellious ways;
according to Your love remember me, for You are good, O LORD.

2John 1:6
   6And this is love: that we walk in obedience to His commands.
As you have heard from the beginning, His command is that you walk in love. 

Joel 2:13
"Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the Lord your God,
for He is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love,"