“This, then, is how you should pray: ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.’ ” Matthew 6:9-10 (NIV)/ Pixabay
“Not my will, but yours.” Five little words. Literally, they are small words but when combined together, their message is life changing! Jesus spoke these five words as he struggled with the knowledge of what He was about to face. In that moment, He asked God to take the job He was there to do away from Him. And yet, in the same breath Jesus added those five little words confirming His commitment to God’s plan.
“He withdrew about a stone’s throw beyond them, knelt down and prayed, ‘Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.’ An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him.” Luke 22:41-43 (NIV)
I don’t know about you, but I find the five little words: “take this cup from me” much easier to say than telling God I’m willing to let go of my will and follow His! “Not my will, but yours” opens us up to all kinds of challenges! Like the fishermen, we may have to leave behind what we’ve known and are comfortable with, even if we don’t feel ready. Great sacrifice may be required of us as it was asked of Abraham when we don’t feel strong enough to handle it. “Your will be done” can even cause us to endure suffering as it did for Jesus though we lack trust. Yes, “take this cup from me” slips from my lips more easily than it should!
“Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.” Hebrews 13:20-21 (NIV)
Did you catch those five words in the middle? “Equip you with everything good.” God doesn’t expect us to do His will on our own! When we accept the sacrifice of the blood of Jesus, our lives are changed! All of our even if’s, don’t’s, can’t’s, wont’s, and anything else that can get in our way of doing God’s will are worked on until they become the good that we need to equip us to be able to accept the cup He offers.
What’s God calling you to do? Is there an idea, project, a person’s need, or dream that won’t go away? Do you find ways to avoid it? Make excuses for why it won’t work or isn’t for you? Boy, I sure do! But, remembering that we are not on our own to face the things of this world and that God is strengthening and preparing us for what’s ahead makes it possible for us to kneel down and confidently say those five little words: “Not my will, but Yours” and believe them!
Today is the five year anniversary of Kate leading the writing community at http://www.fiveminutefriday.com
My goodness! I wanted to really stick to the five minutes today in honor of that, but of course, once again, I went over. Well, there’s always next time. I encourage you to click over and read the other wonderful posts on the prompt “Five”. And as always, I’d love to chat with you! Share in the comments what you feel God is calling you to do and I’ll share mine with you. We can then pray for each other to trust that God is equipping us for the job!