Not As I Will…

Surrender

Matthew 26:39 – “Not as I will, but as You will.”

Early this morning, I found myself praying for clarity about the relationship between faith, authority, and power and submission to God’s will. This is an area I’ve talked about before, but I continue to have conversations with people who tell me that if I petition God for something that I desire and fail to believe with certainty that request will come to pass, I am demonstrating a lack of faith. But here’s the thing…I know…with complete and total certainty…that God can do any and every single solitary thing that He sets His will to do. I have no doubt about that whatsoever. What I question, though, is whether my request ALIGNS with His will; because if it doesn’t, I know there is a very real possibility that the answer to my petition will be a firm “No” or “Not yet…” And I’m okay with that.

In these moments, I always think about Jesus in the garden of Gethsemane, when He prayed, “Not as I will, but as You will” (Matthew 26:39) before He was handed over to the chief priests by Judas. He could have called down “12 legions of angels” (Matthew 26:53) to save himself if He so willed it, but He knew that it was more important for His Father’s will to be fulfilled. He desired God’s will above His own, and I believe that is also what is required of us.

I think it’s safe to say that when we’ve received a specific promise, vision, or Word from God, we can be confident that in time, it will come to pass; but when a request comes solely from our flesh, we must be willing to give it to God and accept His decision about whether it aligns with His will. Of course, there are times when we fail to surrender in this way, and God fulfills our requests anyway. We’ve all been there, and it rarely turns out well for us in the long run. In the end, we’re better off if we first seek His will and are willing to hear a “Yes,” a “No,” or a “Not yet.” The answer may not be one that we want to hear, but we can take comfort in knowing that if God closes a door, He does it out of His divine wisdom and His unending love for us.

Thoughts, reactions, or testimonies? Leave a comment below. I look forward to hearing from you!

Be Mine…

HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY!!!

1 John 4:6 – “So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in Him.”

Reflections: Have you ever seen those little candy hearts they give out during the Valentine’s Day season? They’re all over the stores these days. I saw one the other day that said, “Be Mine,” and it made me think…Isn’t that what God is asking us? To be His? He wants you to be His—His child, His heir, His hands, His heart…And He doesn’t ask for much in return, just all that you are and everything you have to give. 🙂 I know, I know…It may sound like a lot, but it’s a small price to pay for what you get in return—God’s salvation, His guidance, His wisdom, His peace, His joy, His LOVE…for eternity…Shall I go on?

God has already shown us His love in a million different ways, no more so than when He sacrificed His heart…His son…for us; and now, in return, He wants only to take our broken and battered hearts and pour into them a love that makes them whole. He wants to claim our weary souls and soothe them with peace, comfort, and rest. He wants to care for us, protect us, teach us, grow us, and above all, He wants us to know that we are L-O-V-E-D beyond measure.

God’s amazing, agape love (love unconditional) is the model to which all other love should aspire. Knowing God’s love is the key that unlocks your ability to truly love and be loved by others.  This Valentine’s Day, know that you already have at least one valentine, and He has already given you His heart. Will you give Him yours in return?

Happy Valentine’s Day! (And remember, YOU ARE LOVED!!)

Song: Love is All by Je’Kob

Thoughts, reactions, or testimonies? Leave a comment below. I look forward to hearing from you!

Shine Bright!