The Hidden Strength of Everyday Obedience

Every family has its own rhythm. Some run like clockwork—early is on time, on time is late. Others operate in what might charitably be called "controlled chaos," moving at fighter-jet speed while watching other families proceed at a horse-and-buggy pace. Walk into any restaurant and you'll see the full spectrum: one family with three kids ordering different meals, complete with french fries shaped like stars and dinner rolls used as microphones. Then there's the family in matching outfits with perfect hair, speaking in polite "yes ma'ams" and "no ma'ams."

Workplaces mirror this diversity. There's the overachiever and the underachiever, the perpetually late colleague, the office gossip, and that person who still hasn't figured out how to position their camera for video calls. Whether at home, work, or school, people are complicated, relationships are challenging, and responsibilities are heavy.
So how do we respond spiritually when there's so much difference around us?

The Spirit-Filled Life in Real Time
True spiritual maturity isn't measured by how we look and sound on Sunday morning. It's revealed in who we are at home and who we are Monday morning at work. The Apostle Paul understood this when he wrote to the Ephesians about being filled with the Spirit. This isn't about pouring liquid into a cup—it's about being controlled, guided, and empowered by God's presence in the mundane moments of life.

The challenge is simple yet profound: lift your sails. Grow in your ability to be led by the Spirit of God in your parenting, in your work, in your relationships.

The Freedom of Obedience
For children and teenagers, obedience often feels like a burden—a heavy weight crushing down on freedom. But here's a revolutionary truth: obedience is not a prison. It's a protection.

First John 5:3 tells us that God's commandments are not burdensome. Obedience is actually the vehicle that carries us toward the life we desire. It's the guardrail on the mountain road of becoming an adult, the shoulder harness on the roller coaster that allows us to actually enjoy the ride. Without it, we're hanging on for dear life.

When parents ask their children to do something in line with God's ways, they're providing steps toward freedom and wisdom. The path of obedience brings peace at home, at work, and at school. It's not old-fashioned—it's timeless wisdom.

The Ten Commandments include this unique promise: "Honor your father and mother...that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land." This is the only commandment with a promise attached rather than a consequence for disobedience. Why? Because those who learn obedience and honor in the home are more likely to live wise, healthy, disciplined lives outside the home.

Every step of obedience carries God's promise attached to it. He never commands without also preparing the blessing that follows.

The Irreplaceable Presence of Fathers
There's a story of a child waking from a nightmare, crying out for their father. When the dad reassures the child that God will take care of them, the child responds, "I know that. You told me that. I just need someone with skin on."

We need fathers. There's something about a father's presence that calms storms. We're created to have a deep connection with our fathers, and when that connection is missing, it creates what one wise professor called "a cancer of the soul."

Paul's instruction to fathers is both negative and positive: Don't provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. In other words, don't push their buttons. Don't parent in a way that crushes rather than cultivates, that demands rather than disciples, that reacts rather than shepherds.

Instead, nurture their souls—not in the big moments, but in the thousands of small moments over time. Billy Graham said it well: "A good father is one of the most unsung, unpraised, unnoticed, and yet one of the most viable assets in our society."

The greatest thing fathers can do isn't provide the newest toys or the best schools. It's sharing stories—stories of how God is using them, stories of trusting God at work, stories of confession when they blow it, stories of dreams and hopes. These stories shape children's souls.

A father's job is to train kids toward independence by giving them skills to function as adults. This means learning to let go of control in a controlled way, gradually expanding their freedom as they demonstrate wisdom.

Working as Unto the Lord
Paul's instructions extend beyond the home into the workplace. His message to workers is radical: serve your employers with the same sincerity and excellence you would show Christ himself.

This changes everything. If you have an unreasonable boss, you still work for Christ. If your job is tedious, you still work for Christ. If your supervisor doesn't notice your effort, Christ sees. Your earthly boss may sign your paycheck, but your heavenly boss rewards your faithfulness.

Christian workers should be known for showing up on time, working hard, being trustworthy, following instructions, being teachable, avoiding conflict, and pursuing excellence. Historically, Christian slaves commanded the highest prices because they were known for their exceptional work ethic. Something about following Christ set them apart.
Who you are when no one is watching is really who you are.

Leadership That Reflects Christ
For those in leadership positions, Paul's instruction is equally challenging: lead the way you want Christ to lead you. Don't threaten or intimidate. Modern research on effective leadership increasingly aligns with biblical principles—humility, service, and genuine care for those you lead produce better results than intimidation ever could.

God shows no favoritism. He sees the homeless person and the billionaire CEO at the same level. Leaders serve at God's pleasure, placed in positions because of what they can contribute. True strength in leadership doesn't come from charisma, talent, authority, or title, but from character, humility, and integrity.

Roots That Hold
Imagine a large tree standing alone in a field as a storm approaches. The tree sways in the wind but remains upright and strong. Why? Its strength doesn't come from the visible branches but from unseen roots anchoring it deep in the ground.

Raising kids and working in offices operates the same way. Strength isn't found in personality or position but in character rooted deeply in Christ. These are the roots that provide stability when storms come—the roots that get teenagers through tests and temptations, parents through long days and short years, workers through challenging circumstances.

The best investment we can make isn't money or status. It's cultivating deep roots that connect us to the source of all wisdom and strength, allowing God's Spirit to fill our sails and guide us through every relationship, every responsibility, every ordinary moment where spiritual maturity is truly tested and proven.