Crumpled Notebook

I was reading a verse out of 1 Samuel today that really struck me. 1 Samuel 15:22.

Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices,as in obeying the voice of the Lord?Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice,and to listen than the fat of rams.

I think people get caught up too much sometimes in “sacrificing” than just plain obedience. I know I do sometimes. Kinda makes you wonder, after all we say and do, if we really are any better than the pharisees. I don’t think the verse underestimates the importance of sacrifices, I think they are necessary, but usually a sacrifice is something we don’t necessarily want to do. How does that really prove our love for God? Doing something because we’re supposed to or its the right thing to do, or just makes sense, or we’re told to do it, just seems so unpure. Its still better than not doing what God asks us. However, I’d rather strive for something better, something more holy. I think I’d rather do things out of love and out of wanting to worship and serve my Lord and be happy about it. I think that’s the kind of love God wants too. I don’t think He wants us to love him because we “should”, because He’s our creator, and to go out on a limb, even because He died for our sins. Loving someone because of what they have or can do for you isn’t real love. Yes, doing things is a way to express love, but that shouldn’t be why we love someone. I think He wants us to love Him because we’ve developed a relationship and have fallin’ madly in love with Him. I think if we do that, obedience will come natural.