在張玲經營的小吃店裡，最暢銷的就是她熬的粥。她會非常認真地攪拌米粥，一直熬煮到滑順濃稠為止。因此當一位熟客對她說：「今天的粥跟平常的不一樣，口感不太好。」這實在令她十分詫異！

原來那天是張玲新來的助手負責煮粥，她解釋口感不同的原因：「我沒有按照食譜的指示去做長時間的攪拌，因我自己在家熬粥也是這樣。我還加了更多麻油，因為我覺得這樣味道更好。」她決定不照食譜的指示，而是按照自己的方式來做。

有時候，我也如此回應上帝的指示。我沒有完全遵從上帝在聖經中的吩咐，而是按照自己的方式來做事。

亞蘭國的將軍乃縵，差一點就犯了同樣的錯誤。當上帝透過先知以利沙要乃縵去約旦河沐浴，以治好他的痲瘋病時，這位自負的將軍竟然大發雷霆。對於如何治好自己的痲瘋病，他有自己的期望，認為上帝的命令比不上他的方法（列王紀下5章11-12節）。但他的僕人卻說服了他照以利沙的話去做（13節），結果乃縵痊癒了。

當我們按照上帝的指示去做，就能經歷一種說不出的平安。讓我們與上帝同工，完成祂的計劃。

Jocelyn’s bestselling dish at her food stall was her congee. She’d stir the rice porridge very carefully until it had a smooth consistency. So, she was startled when a regular customer said, “Your congee tastes different. The texture isn’t as fine.”

Jocelyn’s new assistant had prepared it this time and explained why it was different: “I didn’t stir it as long as the recipe said since that’s how I do it at home. I also added more sesame oil. In my opinion, it tastes better that way.” She had decided to ignore the recipe and do it her way instead.

This is how I sometimes respond to God’s instructions. Instead of fully obeying His commands as given in Scripture, I subject them to my opinions and proceed my way.

Naaman, the commander of the Syrian army, was on the verge of making a similar mistake. On receiving God’s instruction through the prophet Elisha to wash himself in the Jordan so his leprosy would be healed, the proud soldier got angry. He had his own expectations for how his need ought to be addressed, believing his opinion was superior to God’s command (2 Kings 5:11-12). His servants, however, convinced him to listen to Elisha’s words (v. 13). As a result, Naaman was healed.

When we do things God’s way, we experience a peace that’s indescribable. Let’s work with Him in fulfilling His purposes.