Run freely

What makes you feel like dancing? What makes you feel free and alive and full of joy? I feel like the word "obedience" is not the first thing that comes to mind. Am I right?

Ironically, as I age, I learn that obedience is one of the basic parts to a foundation of a fulfilling life.

Reading Psalm chapter 119 (mind you, it's long but how it has become one of my favorites), I began to notice the number of times the psalmist mentions feeling free because he follows God's commands.

Think of it this way...

As a mother, I can let my children run around the front yard and play to their heart's content, as long as they do not attempt to cross the street. If they even come close to the street, you will hear the mommy roar STOP! As most young children, I imagine they would pout or not understand why they are not allowed to cross the street. I know something they do not know. I know that if a car were to come speeding by, it might not stop in time, God forbid, they were in the street. I know that past the line of our property there is much more danger than they are aware of. I know that if they do not heed my warning, consequences might come.

So as long as they veer away from the invisible line of safety, they can run as freely as they want.

Yet imagine if the whole time we were outside, all they wanted to do was sit, fuss and whine about how they could not cross that line. A whole afternoon could pass by and that time would be lost forever in a sea of annoyance and discontentment simply because they did not trust me that the safest place for them to run free is away from the danger.

"Blessed are they whose ways are blameless, who walk according to the law of the LORD. Blessed are they who keep his statutes and seek him with all their heart." (Ps. 119:1-2)

"I run in the path of your commands, for you have set my heart free." (Ps. 119:32)

"I will never forget your precepts, for by them you have preserved my life." (Ps. 119:93)

"I gain understanding from your precepts; therefore I hate every wrong path." (Ps. 119:104)

"You are my refuge and my shield; I have put my hope in your word." (Ps. 119:114)

"I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." (John 10:10)