One Simple Command

Have you ever been told what to do? It may have been something complicated or just a simple command. What a silly question, of course, you have – we all have. Our whole lives we’ve been told what to do. From home to school and in the workplace.

I don’t particularly like being told what to do when it’s contrary to what I think. Maybe this is why I cringe at the idea of a 9 – 5. Bosses tend to shun new ideas and critical thinking. Maybe this is why I own my own business. I can make decisions I feel work best for my business. I can’t imagine I’m the only one who feels this way. Who wants to listen to someone who gives an authoritative order?

Now don’t get me wrong, I respect authority. Good authoritative figures keep law and order. I just find it difficult to bend a knee to someone who barks commands. It’s difficult to listen to a command without an explanation with their expectation to act without hesitation. But what if God Almighty gives you a command. Would you run or jump?

“I’ve commanded you to write“

I crawled…yes, I know that wasn’t an option! I wanted to listen, but I also didn’t want to. He showed me what He wanted me to do, but it was something that I didn’t like to do. It took me a while to understand why. “Why Lord, why have You commanded me to write?” It’s such a cumbersome thing to do!! I’m sure He looked down and shook his head – maybe I acted like I was 2. Nonetheless, I took on the task with some pep in my step.

It proved to be cumbersome just as I expected. “Who do I write about? What do I write about? When do I write? Where do I write? How do You want me to write? Lead me, Lord!” In hindsight, I can see these were nonsense questions. I can see why He never answered me. It was a simple command, all He wanted me to do was write.

A month or 2 goes by and I’m already crawling. By this time, I’m making excuses for my lack of writing. “I don’t know what to do,” “I’m too tired,” or “I’ll try again tomorrow.” No, no that wasn’t cutting it, and soon I’d know why it wasn’t. “I’ve commanded you to write.” Please believe it, He said it to me. 2 days later, He laid it out to me. Not only WHY He commanded me to write but the consequence of my failure to listen.

Jesus replied: “’Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.“

Matthew 22:37

There it was my purple oversized towel dipped and draped over the toilet. Eeww *sighs*…if you could only see the look on my face. I was in a PUBLIC BATHROOM!! I don’t think I would have been as disgusted if this happened at home. I rushed out of the bathroom stall to clean my towel in the sink. Somehow, I got my favorite brown jacket ruined in the process, so I was trying to clean that too.

My sister-in-law was in the bathroom too trying to help clean my things. There was a lot of commotion in the bathroom, as people were coming and leaving. While at the sink, I turned my head looking toward the door. I noticed a woman who stood out in the group. Our eyes didn’t meet, but I felt she was watching me.

The woman wore a fitted black suit and a white shirt underneath. You’d think she was one of those secret agents (sans the shades) like the “Men in Black.” Not trying to pay her any mind, I turned my attention back to my towel and jacket. About a minute went by and my sister-in-law determined that our efforts were futile. So, we gave up trying to clean my things. With nothing else to hold my attention, I turned back to see the woman and this time we met glances. There was no denying at this point that she was watching me.

I wanted to know what she wanted, so I walked toward her. Before I could reach close enough, she started leaving the bathroom. The woman walked outside the bathroom down the hall, and I followed at a distance behind her. People were walking around kind of blocking my view, but she made sure that I could see her as she turned the corner.

As I followed close behind, the strangest thing happened. All of a sudden amid the crowd I let out a huge shout “I LOVE YOU, JESUS!!” Of course, I do, but what was that all about? Why did I find the need to shout what I knew without a doubt? Well, I had no time to think about it. I had to make sure I didn’t lose sight of her.

I made it to the end of the hall and turned the corner. There she was standing with her back toward me. It was like time had stopped. She was the focal point, and it felt like nothing else mattered at that moment. The woman turned to face me, and she didn’t look like who I saw before. I’ve been cat-fished!!

Seriously, this woman looked nothing like what I saw before. This was a gaunt-looking man with pale skin and sunken eyes. He looked exactly how I’d imagine death to look like. Then, the gravity of the entire situation hit me. THIS IS THE ANGEL OF DEATH, and it is here for ME!

It was all a dream

The Notorious B.I.G

Would you believe that I automatically knew why it was there? I asked it, “You’re the Angel of Death aren’t you?” It nodded its head, yes. I then asked, “You’re here for me aren’t you?” Without a word, it slowly lifted its bony finger, pointed at me, and nodded, yes.

I didn’t fall to my knees, beg or plead. I wasn’t shocked and was resolved to accept what was going to happen to me. How could I ask for forgiveness now when I knew I was wrong? Oh, how the mighty can fall! Throw me in the pit! Take me now, do away with me! As far as I was concerned, I couldn’t be redeemed.

The last thing I saw was like a movie scene. I got a third-person vantage point of someone standing at the edge of a hole. They were looking down and there it was – hell underneath. A valley of dead bodies far beyond what my eyes could see. A wicked and ominous laugh filled my ears. It was a special effect that definitely affected me. I was certain it was my time, but before anything could happen – a white light blinded me. Then I woke up! *sighs…. It was just a dream.

If you love me, keep my commands

John 14:15

I woke up not with tears but wonder. Wondering if I still stand in jeopardy. All these intrusive, negative thoughts and questions popped into my mind. I don’t remember them all, but I do remember one – can I be forgiven? At that moment, I had to remind myself of His word and posture my heart, but… should I get what I deserve?

“I am sorry that I am weak. I am sorry that You have to repeat over and over that disobedience is what You see. My Lord, Your heart is so good. You love me so much that You continue to be patient with me. What is this righteousness I have? It is filthy rags like my towel that was soaked in the toilet bowl.”

As I knelt down by my bedside, I burst into tears. Not because of death or hell but because I kept throwing away every chance. How can I say I love you if I can’t obey one simple command. Now I understand that when I said, “I LOVE YOU JESUS” those were empty words to You. In hindsight, it felt empty when I said it.

Is it crazy for me to say that I really struggled to repent? Maybe I can share a bit…I was wrong and I knew I deserved whatever consequence. “There isn’t another sorry I can give other than to ask You to uncover my shame. I humbly come before You fighting to repent because I don’t deserve Your mercy. Why be merciful when I was relentless in my disobedience?”

Let’s just say, I’m thankful I have a good good Father. I knew He had forgiven me. He needed to remind me of the importance of His one simple command to me. It was surely a wake-up call and put some tremendous pep in my step. There is more to this story, I could go on and on. What is important to note is that it’s not about you or me.

I write all of this simply to say – Jump! Don’t run away!