CHRISTIAN LIFE & GROWTH

As You Wish

By Laurel J. Davis
See Laurel's blog at The Reluctant First Lady

In the movie The Princess Bride, a sick boy gets a visit from his grandfather, who proceeds to read him this wonderful story — a classic fairy tale full of harrowing adventure, like scaling the Cliffs of Insanity, surviving the unsurvivable Fire Swamp, battling ferocious R.O.U.S.'s (Rodents of Unusual Size), and enduring torture in the Pit of Dispair. It's complete with pirates, sword fights, giants, an evil prince, a six-fingered man, a damsel in distress and a fearless hero.

It's also, of course, very much a love story between the damsel and the hero, who starts out as her farm's hired handyman. She soon realizes that, whenever she gives him something to do and he replies, "As you wish," what he's really saying is, "I love you."

"Farm boy, fetch me some water."

"As you wish."

"Farm boy, feed the chickens."

"As you wish."

"Farm boy, pass me this pot here right next to me so I can cook supper."

"As you wish."

Then, at the end of the movie (and I'm not giving too much away here), after Grandpa has finished reading the story and is preparing to leave, his grandson asks him, "Can you come back and read it again to me tomorrow?"

And Grandpa replies, "As you wish."

Do we love Jesus enough to say, "As You wish" to the things He asks of us? What is our heart attitude towards Him when He reminds us, through His Word and by His Holy Spirit, what He expects from us as His ambassadors?

Follow Me.

"As You wish."

Serve Me.

"As You wish."

Fear not.

"As You wish."

Pray and trust.

"As You wish."

Love your neighbor.

"As You wish."

Love your enemy.

"As You wish."

Love not the world.

"As You wish."

Put God first.

"As You wish."

Don't be prideful.

"As You wish."

Don't fornicate.

"As You wish."

Don't lie, don't cheat, don't steal.

"As You wish."

Help the needy.

"As You wish."

Be wise as a serpent and harmless as a dove.

"As You wish."

Obedience is one of the best expressions of love. Isn't that what Jesus meant when He said, "If you love Me, keep My commandments" (John 14:15)? This is true most importantly in our relationship with Him. But it also can be seen, in one sense or another, in any relationship where one person is in the position of leadership or authority.

For example, a parent feels more respected when their child does his chores without complaint or reminder. A teacher feels honored by an attentive and diligent student. Even a boss recognizes those who appreciate their jobs more than those who don't. And certainly a child feels loved by a kindly grandpa who will happily fulfill his request to spend another full day with him just to read him a story.

Lord, help us to love You not just by word but by deed. Help us to have the heart attitude of obedience towards You. Help us to keep Your commandments as a way of showing how much we love You. Help us to love You more and more so that, whenever You tell us what to do, our happy response is, "As You wish." In Jesus' Name. Amen.

Image Credit: Mario De Carli; "Pray"; Creative Commons

Tags: Biblical-Truth | Christian-Life