“Speak, oh Lord, for your servants, your children, your people are listening.” Stephanie Lobdell, author of the book Signs of Life: Resurrecting Hope Out of Ordinary Losses, opened with these words at Centennial Chapel, inviting the Olivet community to consider a profound truth: to hear God is not simply to receive sound but to respond with obedience. In her warm and candid style, Stephanie unpacked another the Hebrew word Shema—to hear, listen, and obey—as a cornerstone of our relationship with God.
Drawing on Deuteronomy 6, Lobdell explored how Shema calls us to live out our identity as God’s beloved children and submit to God’s authority in every area of life. “Who are you? You are God’s beloved child,” she emphasized. “And who’s the boss? It’s our good and loving God who invites you to trust Him.”
Identity and Authority: Lessons from a Puppy
Lobdell shared a story about her family’s new Christmas puppy, Phoebe. As adorable as Phoebe is, her mischief has been a daily challenge. “Phoebe can hear just fine,” Lobdell quipped, “but she does not listen.” Drawing a parallel to our spiritual lives, she explained that obedience to God requires addressing two key issues: identity and authority.
“Phoebe doesn’t know who she is or who’s in charge,” Lobdell said. “She hasn’t yet embraced her new name or recognized my authority.” Similarly, we often struggle to listen and obey because we forget our identity as God’s children or resist God’s authority over our lives.
The Call to Listen and Obey
Lobdell traced the theme of Shema through scripture, reminding us of Israel’s journey. As God prepared the Israelites to enter the Promised Land, He urged them to Shema: “Hear, O Israel, the Lord is our God, the Lord alone.” This call was not merely to hear but to respond in loving obedience, trusting God’s leadership in a world full of competing allegiances.
“The fruit of Shema is love,” Lobdell explained. “Love for God and love for neighbor.” She pointed to Jesus’ confrontation with the religious leaders in Matthew 21 as a cautionary tale. Despite their outward religiosity, their lack of love revealed their failure to truly Shema. “Jesus expects fruit—tangible evidence of our obedience,” she said. “When we listen and obey, our lives bear the fruit of love, blessing those around us.”
A Chance to Change
In one of the most poignant moments of her message, Lobdell reflected on the parable of the two sons. One initially refused his father’s command but later changed his mind and obeyed. The other agreed outwardly but failed to follow through. “It’s not too late to change your mind,” she assured the audience. “No matter how deep the rut may seem, God can help you turn around and walk in the right direction.”
Lobdell closed with a challenge to the Olivet community: “Will you Shema? Will you listen and obey? You can trust God’s authority. You can embrace your identity as His beloved child. It’s never too late.”
To view the full chapel service, click here.
To livestream upcoming chapels, click here.
