Origin of the word Obedience

 

So we all think we know what the word 'Obedience' means, don't we? It means to OBEY or to follow the instructions of someone else, which is true; however it is so much more than that. Sadly, the context of the word has been tarnished over the years and is usually linked with a negative connotation attached to it.

Obedience comes from a Latin word 'oboedire'. The first part of this word means 'in the direction of', while 'audire' means 'to hear.' Therefore, to practise obedience implies that we lean in towards someone else, listening to what they have to say. In the case of Christ-followers, we show our obedience to Christ by 'leaning into Him', eager to hear his word and what God has to say.

For me, this makes my obedience a much more active response to Christ and not merely one of being a puppet on a string.

2 John 1:6 - And 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.

 

Living in Grace
D3LM3

P.S. I have been grateful to Abbot Christopher Jamison for his insightful comments on Obedience. He wrote a beautiful book entitled: "Finding Sanctuary".

Tragedy to triumph

On the 4^th January in 1809 a remarkable young man was born in Coupvray, France. His name was Louis. His father, Simon-René had a fairly successful business working with leather and as soon as he could walk, Louis spent time playing in his father's workshop. 

When he was just 3, Louis was playing with some of the tools, trying to make holes in a piece of leather. He picked up an awl (sharp leathering instrument) and then moved in closer to the work bench,  pressing down hard to drive the point into the leather.  Suddenly the awl slipped across the tough leather and struck him in one of his eyes. 

A local doctor patched up the affected eye and arranged for young Louis visit a highly respected surgeon in Paris.  Sadly no treatment could save the damaged eye and soon the wound became badly infected. This then spread to his other eye and by the age of five Louis was completely blind.
After learning to adapt to his blindness for ten years, Louis developed his own code for the French alphabet. This code was refined over the subsequent years is still known as Braille today. Louis Braille overcame all the odds and despite his own disability, helped millions of other people to communicate with the world.  

"When you have experienced [the sacraments], you understand all the majesty and power of religion. I am convinced my mission on earth has been accomplished. I asked God to carry me away from this world." - Louis Braille

When the tough moments come it is my prayer that we will have enough faith and resolve to recognise that God will not leave us or abandon us and that with WISE choices and friendships we can even turn “blindness” into a gift for others. Perhaps the obstacles we may face this year could end up encouraging others, when they see how we handle them with God’s grace and love.

“Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and from Jesus Christ, the Father’s Son, will be with us in truth and love.” – 2 John 1:3

Living in Grace
D3LM3