There are many “reality” shows on television today, and nearly all of them delve into areas that are indeed outlandish. One show in particular that caught my attention involved an experienced foreign nanny who came to rescue a family who had lost control of their children. The parents were depicted as a hapless pair who were desperate and frustrated with their lives.

Watching the show, I became mentally riled up and longed for the mom and dad to get their act together and invoke some control. I began to reflect on the parents’ lack of willingness to provide discipline, and was shocked that they did not recognize that the lack of obedience in their home created a culture of chaos and despair. Love, kindness, and forgiveness seemed just as foreign as the nanny. No adult or child could prosper in such an environment.

Their “reality” led me to contemplate how God views our nature in terms of willingness and obedience. Every coach knows that practice leads to better performance; however, sometimes the missing link is a player’s will. Players without a will to perform or desire to follow instructions create a culture of chaos on a team. The same thing happens in our lives when we do not submit and obey our heavenly Father. Are you ready to live within God’s reality, being willing and obedient?