Today I saw a picture of an animal's pointed ear, intentionally listening. There is a difference between choosing to/wanting to listen, as opposed to not being able to avoid hearing a sound. Interestingly, the word Obedience has the Latin root of "oboedire" to listen intently. Over time obedience has become an unpopular word as it suggests someone overpowering us. God wants us to obey Him in the sense of relishing being close to Him and listening to Him in a communion of love. God is love. Prophet Isaiah speaks God's Word to us "If you are willing and obedient you shall eat the good of the land". In 1 John 5:3 we read, "For this is the love of God that we keep His commandments and His commandments are not burdensome". It is a delight to be loved and to love, to be listened to and to listen intently to another. This is central in our obedience to God.
