obedience vs sacrifice

can i take a moment to process?

i'm a musician. music stirs my emotions in ways that not much else can. i can be brought to tears in an instant with the right chord progression, vocal melody, or lyrical arrangement.
i'm emotional. it takes effort for me to make decisions based on practicality, reason, and logic. that can be a dangerous combination sometimes. i can be moved to make decisions based on a feeling i get while listening to music that stirs my emotions.

this morning i was in a musical worship setting at church. the worshippers on stage were unified. the music was well-blended. as the lyrics began alluding to the message of "i'll go where You want me to go. i'll do what You want me to do," all i wanted was to hear God say, "this is where I want you to go. this is what I want you to do." that moment didn't come. instead i heard the Spirit whisper in my soul, "obedience is better than sacrifice," and i knew this was not the time for going and doing. this, instead, was the time for steadfast faithfulness in complete obedience to what i know God is asking me to do.so, i will remain until the Spirit says, "this is where. this is when. this is what."

obedience, in this moment, is much harder than sacrifice. perhaps, that's why that is what He's asking of me. but in the end, my friends, it will be SO worth it!