NOT MY WILL...
A boy’s parents threw him a surprise birthday party. Shortly before his friends arrived, they sent him upstairs to his room. When his guests were present, they went to fetch him, but he refused to come. He thought he was in trouble. His parents pleaded and threatened him, but he wouldn’t budge. Finally, they gave up, and returned to his friends. Although disappointed, they ate cake and ice cream, played games, and had lots of fun. The boy missed his own birthday party, simply because he didn’t trust his parents.
In some ways, I’m like this boy. As long as God does things my way—exactly as I think he should—I’m glad to submit. But what about those times when my will doesn’t match his? Like the parents in our story, perhaps God has a different plan for me than what I expect, or in some cases, even want.
Contrast that with Jesus. In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus wrestled with the anguish that lay before him. Unlike the boy, Jesus didn’t merely expect to suffer, he knew what was coming. In Luke 22:42, he pleaded with his Father, “If you are willing, take this cup from me.” Hebrews 5:7 tells us that Jesus begged God “with fervent cries and tears.” But even as he pleaded with his Abba to spare his life, Jesus added, “Not my will, but yours be done.”
Those seven words roll off my tongue so easily when I pray. As Linda and I battle for her life, I’ve prayed “Your will be done,” dozens of times. But to utter that statement, and really mean it? That’s a hard prayer to pray! But when I surrender control over her life and leave it in God’s hands, I experience peace like I’ve rarely known.
I don’t have to like the way God chooses to answer my prayers. I might wish he would select a different route. In the Garden, Jesus’s anguish was so deep that he literally sweat blood (Luke 22:44). Here’s the big question. Am I willing to surrender to God’s will, as Jesus did—or do I choose to imitate the young lad in our story?
In the end, Jesus got up, dusted himself off, wiped the tears from his cheeks and the blood from his brow, lifted his head and set out to face the angry mob approaching. In reality, he had already won the battle.
UPDATE ON LINDA: She had several rough days this week—extremely tired and weak. But thanks to lots of prayers and a change in her protocol, she is feeling much better. Please keep praying. It’s a long battle.
Principle: When we pray “Your will be done”, we experience great peace.
Ponder:
When have you acted like the little boy in the story—not willing to trust God because he wasn’t doing things your way?
What blessings have you found when you totally surrender your will to God’s?
Pursue: For a deeper dive, study Luke 22:39-46.
Prayer: Loving Father, there are so many times when I struggle with trusting you. Please help me to pray like Jesus, “Not my will, but yours be done.”