Stubborn Is As Stubborn Does

"We [the Sanhedrin] gave you strict orders not to teach in this name,' he said. 'Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and are determined to make us guilty of this man's blood.' Peter and the other apostles replied, 'We must obey God rather than men" (Acts 5:28-29)!

Observing a light across the water, the captain had his signalman instruct the other vessel to change her course ten degrees south. The response was prompt: "Change your course ten degrees north." "I am a captain," he responded testily. "Change your course ten degrees south." The reply: "I'm a seaman first class--change your course north." The captain was furious. "Change your course now. I'm on a battleship." "Change your course ten degrees north, sir--I'm in a lighthouse."


There are time to be stubborn, and for that captain that wasn't the time. For Peter and the Apostles it was the time to be stubborn. Stubbornly obedient, knowing who was giving the orders. It was not the Sanhedrin, who wanted them to choose their course.  They were attempting to supersede the Great Captain Jesus who give correct orders and has the correct course to follow. If our Captain says to change course we obey for we know that His orders are always correct.

I don't know about you but at times I am like that captain, stubborn, wanting it my way, and won't listen to good advice. I listen to men, or just stubbornly forge ahead. Like that ship, if I don't listen to the advice from God, from His Word, I crash and burn. God picks me up, refurbishes this broken ship [body, mind, spirit] and sends me back out to sea. Gives me new orders, and simply asks me to listen to Him. How do I listen, well, the best part is that He has given all of us His manual for our life course, the Bible.  Sometimes He speaks in that soft quiet voice to us, other times it might be in a message from your pastor's sermon. There is one thing that is certain, from His advantage point He sees the pitfalls, and sends out His signalman to warn us of the danger.  The Question is: Will I/you listen or will we just be stubborn.  "Change your course ten degrees north, for I am a lighthouse on a rocky cliff."

Daily Prayer:

Father thank you for Your constant vigilance for us.  May I listen and be guided by Holy Spirit who will keep me safe.  Thank You for your Word that is my manual for life. Forgive me where I have failed to listen to you, please pick me up, refurbish me and send me back so I can bring hope, and warning to those I come into contact with.                                                               Amen