I am currently practicing the spiritual discipline of OBEDIENCE. Long ago I knew marriage offered two people a wonderful opportunity to practice love in the classroom of real life. Yet, it has taken me some 25 years to truly be ready to be a partner. Currently, I'm practicing obedience. What is obedience to me? It is saying, "Yes" with my actions even if my heart says, "No" or "Why?" I'm saying, "Yes" to my wife in belief that over time my heart will catch up and learn to say "yes" as well. In the past I viewed most requests as an infringement on my freedom. Today, I'm saying, "Yes" because I know she loves me and I trust her.
I encourage you to see how obedience to your spouse, your boss, your parents, or some authority can radically alter your life. Pick someone, pick a day, and simply say "yes" to everything asked of you. I acknowledge there are evil or demented or sick persons to whom obedience would be unhealthy. So, practice obedience with someone whom you know and trust.
I plan to try to say “Yes” more regularly. I also want to zoom in on just one of Greg’s thoughtful comments. It is this: “I'm saying, "Yes" to my wife in belief that over time my heart will catch up and learn to say "yes" as well.” I’m a big believer in that approach. Put a smile on your face and you will in fact feel more cheerful. As Nike says, “Just do it.” I once heard someone say, “I feel a hypocrite going to church; I’m not sure what, if anything, I believe.” My advice was, “Keep going to church, your beliefs will clarify themselves.” There is a great benefit in “going through the motions,” even when your heart is not in it. Your heart will catch up.
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