Obedient Parents

Luke 2:22And when the time came for their purification according to the Law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord 23(as it is written in the Law of the Lord, "Every male who first opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord") 24and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the Law of the Lord, "a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons."

God chose Joseph and Mary because He knew they would be obedient. He entrusted them with such a precious gift, the Christ, the Messiah. Jesus was just a newborn baby, but He was in good hands because His Heavenly Father had chosen two humble and obedient servants to raise Jesus in the pious way. Mary and Joseph took Jesus to be purified according to the Law of Moses even though they were people of meager means. They could have felt "special" and above the law because they were chosen for such a task. However, their selection by God to raise the Messiah, prompted them to take their obedience even more seriously.

I want to be a parent submitted to God. I feel like I am on the verge of rebelling again. I look at Mary and Joseph's example and I see that they did all that the Lord commanded them. They took God's word seriously. I think I'm not so serious about God's word. I admit, I sin by taking what He says lightly. I often find myself pushing my boundaries and limits. If I want to live a radical life for God, I need to change my way of thinking. I need to understand that God is serious and not just take His grace for granted. I keep having areas in my heart that need to be removed and cleaned out, but when I see it, I think I still only commit half-way. I need to submit fully to Jesus. He isn't just called Jesus Christ because it's easy to remember, He is called Jesus Christ because He is my Savior and He is from God and is God. Jesus needs to be calling the shots in my life. I can't keep sinning. I can't keep my private thoughts away from the cross. I must bring it all out into His light so that I may be rid of it once and for all.

Heavenly Father, please help me to be submissive. Lord, change my heart. Transform my mind. Keep me from sinning, Lord. I feel like I'm so tempted to do what I want. I need to be a slave to Your righteousness. Lord, I want to be a parent submitted to Your best for Lion's life. Lord, You've entrusted me with such a precious gift. Please help me to keep steady on Your path. I pray all this in Jesus' name, Amen.