By Lynne Pillitteri, Jubilee Church Wirral

If you love me, you will obey what I command.

John 14:15

So, hands up who only does this if we like the command?

Yep, that would be me.

God has been talking to me about a certain matter for many, many years. I listen, I pray, I make a plan, I pay it lip service, I make excuses then I just carry on. I know me best, right? I know what I can cope with, right? Wrong! This behaviour was hurting me physically, mentally and emotionally. I hope one day to tell the full testimony but for now let me share this:

Anyone who knows me well, will know my distaste for social media. However, my son Lucas has recently started college, and his college shares a lot on Instagram and TikTok. So, I downloaded these apps, just to follow my son.

Well, wouldn’t you know it, God chose this medium to speak powerfully into my life. Through a shared experience on TikTok I was at once convicted, I identified completely and strangely, I felt seen and understood, all at once, having listened to someone else’s story. 

It was overwhelming. It’s worth noting here, that this person is not a Christian.

Since that day I have changed. I live in obedience to my Father, in this respect, every day. It was a struggle at first for sure but now I am starting to see more of the person God would have me be.

Turns out I am not the all-singing, all-dancing extrovert I thought I was. In fact I am quite the opposite – quieter, more content and introspective. And while I have always considered myself very much a “Martha” – “worried and upset about many things” – I find, to my delight, I am becoming more of a “Mary”, knowing that “few things are needed – indeed only one”.

These changes have been difficult, even painful at times, but Jesus has never left me. His spirit guides me, forgives me and refreshes me when the path isn’t straight. Along with the challenges, this change has reaped many benefits both in my relationship with God and with those in my family.

Our Father wants us to obey Him, simply because He knows best. He wants us to be close to Him with no barriers and to be peaceful in our lives. He cannot help us with that if we do not obey His commands.

Lynne Pillitteri, Jubilee Church Wirral