Because You Say So...

I thought it would be good to look at what "living unfiltered for God" looks like using an example from the lives of the apostles. In Luke 5:4-11, we have a great example of Simon (who would become Peter) being obedient to the words and call of Jesus. The story presents a model that we all (should) go through when living in obedience to God.

Recognize His voice.

When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.” Simon answered, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything.” (Luke 5:4-5a)

At this point in the story, Simon had just been listening to Jesus teach, (from his own boat, actually). By referring to Jesus as Master, he was acknowledging that there was something different, something divine, about Jesus. Simon knew that he should listen and pay close attention to what Jesus had to say.

Do what He says (even if it seems a little crazy).

But because you say so, I will let down the nets.  (Luke 5:5b)

Listening and doing, though, are typically two very different things. Despite what was logical, however, Simon chose to heed the words of Jesus. He had spent enough time with Jesus already that he trusted what Jesus had to say, enough to obey his command. It's like Simon was saying, "this is a complete waste of time, but since it's you that asked Jesus, I'll go ahead and do it." 

Recognize the source of the blessing.

When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them, and they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink. When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus’ knees and said, “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!” For he and all his companions were astonished at the catch of fish they had taken, and so were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, Simon’s partners. (Luke 5:6-10a)

Even though Simon trusted Jesus enough to obey, he wasn't sure of he eventual outcome. In some ways perhaps, the outcome didn't matter to him. He was just responding to what Jesus had asked him to do. (There's a whole lesson in that for us, as well.) When Simon and the others experienced what happened next though, they immediately recognized that their blessing - two boats full of fish - came through Jesus. Even to the point of making them feel repentant in His presence. Their obedience to His words though, led to the blessing (Luke 11:28).

Respond accordingly.

Then Jesus said to Simon, “Don’t be afraid; from now on you will fish for people." So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him. (Luke 5:10b-11)

This last part I think is really the key to the whole thing. Jesus didn't bless them in this manner for the sole purpose of giving them a huge catch of fish for the day. He was giving them one final piece of evidence to convince them that they should follow Him. What Jesus did here was done for a purpose - with a much larger goal in mind. Notice too, that Jesus didn't command them to follow, they just "left everything and followed him" on their own accord. They knew what was expected of them. They knew the appropriate response to what had just taken place.

So... when we hear or feel a prompting to act, we don't need to know what the outcome will be or what might be His next request of us. We just need to trust Him. We just need to do the "next right thing" and trust in the outcomes. Sometimes it will result in an immediate blessing (for us or others) and sometimes it just might change the course and direction of our lives.