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“I Would Prefer Not To”
by Dr. Paul Chappell
“Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye. Which of the prophets have not your fathers persecuted? and they have slain them which shewed before of the coming of the Just One; of whom ye have been now the betrayers and murderers: Who have received the law by the disposition of angels, and have not kept it.”
Acts 7:51–53
Though Herman Melville is best remembered now for writing the whaling tale Moby Dick, he was better known in his lifetime for his short stories. One of the most influential was “Bartleby, the Scrivener: A Story of Wall Street,” which told of a man hired to copy legal documents in a busy law firm. After a period productive work, Bartleby fell into a deep depression and stopped accepting assignments. Every order or suggestion was met with the phrase, “I would prefer not to.” Eventually Bartleby lost his job and his home, and even refused to eat, until he died.
It is a tragic story, and we find it hard to believe that someone could be so obstinate with such negative results. Yet if we are honest, we must admit that there are times when we know exactly what God has directed and commanded, but our response is anything but obedience. We come up with all kinds of excuses and explanations to justify our rebellion, but in the final analysis it comes down to a matter of the will—we either bend our necks to God’s yoke or we stubbornly insist on going our own way.
It is often easier to diagnose rebellion in others than in our own hearts. But we must not allow our preferences and desires to be placed ahead of God’s command. The only proper response that a Christian can make to a directive from the Lord is cheerful, prompt, and complete obedience.
Acts 7:51–53
Though Herman Melville is best remembered now for writing the whaling tale Moby Dick, he was better known in his lifetime for his short stories. One of the most influential was “Bartleby, the Scrivener: A Story of Wall Street,” which told of a man hired to copy legal documents in a busy law firm. After a period productive work, Bartleby fell into a deep depression and stopped accepting assignments. Every order or suggestion was met with the phrase, “I would prefer not to.” Eventually Bartleby lost his job and his home, and even refused to eat, until he died.
It is a tragic story, and we find it hard to believe that someone could be so obstinate with such negative results. Yet if we are honest, we must admit that there are times when we know exactly what God has directed and commanded, but our response is anything but obedience. We come up with all kinds of excuses and explanations to justify our rebellion, but in the final analysis it comes down to a matter of the will—we either bend our necks to God’s yoke or we stubbornly insist on going our own way.
It is often easier to diagnose rebellion in others than in our own hearts. But we must not allow our preferences and desires to be placed ahead of God’s command. The only proper response that a Christian can make to a directive from the Lord is cheerful, prompt, and complete obedience.
Today’s Growth Principle:
The Lord’s will and work cannot be done by those who refuse to yield their desires to Him.
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