Your Will Be Done

“Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” Luke 22:42

The Lord has been challenging me to adopt a “Not my will, but your will be done, Father” attitude. Jesus spoke these world renown words in the Garden of Gethsemane, hours before his crucifixion. His words set the bar for us as believers. This mindset is not always the easy way, but we know from scripture that living a righteous life dedicated to Christ requires sacrifice- sacrifice to self, sacrifice of creature comforts, sacrifice to distractions, sacrifice of anything and everything that takes away from us living sold out lives for Jesus.

“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it. Matthew 7:13-14

Everyday we are faced with choices. When we prayerfully seek Jesus through these choices, God enables us to choose his will. Before reaching for your phone, focus on your kids. Before you look at facebook, read God’s Word. Before you clean your house, or do the laundry, examine the conditions of your heart. (I preach these words to myself, more than anyone else.)

The truth is, sometimes I use my phone as a means of escape. I am a flawed human being as much as anybody else.

But, we have been called to live set apart lives.

As followers of and believers in Jesus, we are to lead holy lives. I am not saying that all things phone oriented are against God’s will. What I am saying is that there is a time and a place for every different component of our lives.

There is a time for everything,

and a season for every activity under the heavens. Ecclesiastes 3:1

How we spend our time often indicates what we treasure. This is something we should grapple with as believers looking to sanctify and refine our lives according to Jesus’ standards, so that we can be used as holy vessels for his Kingdom purposes.

In the little things and the large, I want to be used by Jesus. I want every area of my life to please my Lord and Savior. I want all chambers of my heart to be open to His will. I want all pieces of my mind to reflect his glory.

Jesus wants us to adopt his model of a well balanced life that’s focused on the Lord. Luke 2:52 illustrates the different facets of how Jesus grew: in wisdom, stature, in favor with God and man.

And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man. Luke 2:52

We need to reorient our lives to look a little more like Jesus each day.

I’ve heard it said that healthy things grow. We need to grow in our knowledge of scripture, and tuck the Truth and treasure of God’s Word into our hearts. We need to take care of our bodies, as temples of the Holy Spirit. We need to live in the Fear of the Lord, seeking to do the Lord’s will and walk close to Christ each day. We must establish friendships that build us up and fortify our faith.

Wisdom, stature, in favor with God and man: seek to abide by the Spirit of the Living God within you, and grow in Truth, each new day.

Steps of Faith:

• Pray the following:

Father, your will be done in my heart and life. I want to abide in your holy presence. Lead me by your Spirit. Teach me to be a good listener. Help me to obey, no matter what the circumstances. I want to do your will in all things. Show me ways to grow in wisdom, stature, in favor with God and man. In Jesus’ righteous name, amen.