Obedience is an act of faith; disobedience is the result of

Opening Scene
The soft glow of the evening light spills through the windows, casting long shadows across the room. Jack and Jeeny sit at the kitchen table, a steaming mug of tea between them. The world outside is quiet now, the gentle hum of the city fading into the background. The air feels still, like the calm before a storm, but the weight of their conversation is heavier than any storm could be. Jack flips through the pages of a book in front of him, his brow furrowed in thought. Jeeny looks at him, her expression both gentle and curious, waiting for him to say something.

Host: The atmosphere in the room is charged, the unspoken thoughts between them thickening the air. The faint tick of the clock on the wall seems louder than usual, marking the passing of time as they both sit with the weight of the words in the air.

Jeeny: (with a quiet voice, her tone thoughtful) “You know, Edwin Louis Cole once said, ‘Obedience is an act of faith; disobedience is the result of unbelief.’ Isn’t that powerful? It really makes you think about the relationship between faith and our actions, doesn’t it?”

Jack: (looking up, his voice reflective) “It’s striking. You always think of obedience as just following the rules or doing what’s asked of you. But Cole connects it directly to faith — that by being obedient, you’re expressing trust, that your actions are an outward expression of something deeper. And disobedience, he says, comes from a lack of faith.”

Jeeny: (nodding slowly, her voice steady) “Exactly. The idea is that obedience isn’t just about compliance or discipline. It’s about trusting in something bigger than yourself, having faith that the guidance you’re following leads to something better. It’s a reflection of belief, of trusting the process and the purpose behind the rules.”

Host: The room feels still, as if the words themselves are sinking into the very fabric of the space. The light from the window casts a soft, golden hue across the table, and for a moment, the world outside seems distant. The rhythm of their conversation flows with a quiet certainty, as though the idea of obedience is revealing something deeper than they initially realized.

Jack: (his voice softer now, almost questioning) “So, when we’re disobedient, it’s not just about breaking rules. It’s a sign that we don’t fully trust, that we don’t believe in what we’re being asked to do?”

Jeeny: (with a gentle smile, her voice filled with understanding) “Yes, exactly. Disobedience doesn’t just come from defiance or anger; it’s often a sign of doubt or fear. When we don’t believe in the purpose behind something — whether it’s a rule, a request, or a higher calling — we resist. We act out of fear or uncertainty because we don’t have faith in what’s being asked of us.”

Host: The air in the room is thicker now, as if the conversation has unlocked something new between them. Jack’s expression shifts, as though a piece of the puzzle has clicked into place. The world outside continues its steady rhythm, but here, inside, the weight of the conversation feels like a shift, a subtle transformation in their shared understanding.

Jack: (his voice thoughtful, almost in awe) “I think I understand now. Obedience isn’t just about following the rules, but about trusting — trusting in the wisdom behind those rules, in the purpose behind the guidance. And when we’re disobedient, it’s because we don’t trust, we don’t believe in that purpose, or we fear what will happen if we follow it.”

Jeeny: (nodding, her voice calm and affirming) “Exactly. Obedience is a sign of faith, of trust. It’s about believing that there’s something bigger than ourselves guiding us. Disobedience, on the other hand, is the result of doubt or unbelief — a hesitation to fully accept that guidance.”

Host: The stillness of the room deepens, the realization settling like a quiet weight between them. The conversation has transformed from a simple discussion about obedience into something more profound — a reflection on faith, trust, and the way our actions reflect what we truly believe. Jack leans back, his fingers lightly tapping the edge of his mug, as though processing what Jeeny has said. The clock ticks steadily, marking time as the world outside continues on its course.

Jack: (with a smile, his voice quieter now) “I think I’ve been looking at obedience all wrong. It’s not just about compliance. It’s a reflection of trust, a way to show faith through action. And disobedience… it’s not just rebellion — it’s the result of uncertainty, of not trusting the bigger picture.”

Jeeny: (smiling warmly, her voice soft and sure) “Yes, and once we realize that, we can start to see where the doubt lies in our lives. If we want to be more obedient — to trust more fully — we have to examine our beliefs, our faith in the guidance we’re following. It’s all connected.”

Host: The silence that follows feels peaceful, as though the conversation has unfolded into something both grounding and illuminating. Jack and Jeeny sit together, knowing that the road to understanding isn’t always about having all the answers, but about recognizing where trust, belief, and faith can be strengthened. The world outside moves on, but inside, there is a quiet resolve — an understanding that obedience isn’t just a duty; it’s a way of living out our faith.

Jack: (his voice soft, almost content) “I think I’m starting to see the bigger picture. Trusting fully, being obedient, is more than just following the rules. It’s about believing that the guidance we’re given is leading us somewhere better.”

Jeeny: (smiling, her voice gentle) “Exactly. And when we trust, when we believe, the path becomes clearer, and our actions reflect that faith.”

Host: The room feels lighter now, filled with a sense of clarity and peace. The city continues outside, but inside, Jack and Jeeny have found something deeper — an understanding that obedience isn’t just about following the rules, but about acting from a place of trust, belief, and faith.