“Father, if you are willing, take away this cup of suffering. But do what you want, not what I want.” Then an angel from heaven appeared to him to strengthen him. ~ Luke 22:42-43
I had a late night/early morning phone conversation with a friend recently whose struggles seem to be recycling themselves endlessly. I gave her advise another friend had given me when I was in my own recurring struggle: You are the common denominator in all these situations. To that, I added my own admonishment: You need to get over yourself. You’re stuck in your own perspective and you’re not seeing anyone else’s point of view. If you want to improve your relationship, you have to let go of your ego. Ask God what it is He wants you to do and be willing to perform His word.
Hmmm…. Later in the morning my words came back at me like someone was instructing me. What a marvelous being the Holy Spirit is! I had to pause and think: What am I doing that’s obstructing God’s movement in my life? How have I gotten in His way? What have I done to limit God in my relationships?
Being full of pain, Jesus prayed even harder. His sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.When he finished praying, he went to his followers and found them asleep because of their sadness. Jesus said to them, “Why are you sleeping? Get up and pray for strength against temptation.” ~ Luke 22:44-46
Jesus was so burdened with His assignment on the cross that He sweated blood during His prayers the night before. He was so agitated that He reprimanded His disciple-friends for not staying awake to pray and keep watch with Him. However, even with full knowledge of the crushing weight of His one-man job, He did not limit God. He did not give in to the agony His human form was experiencing or the distraction of his sleeping and oblivious friends. He did not get up and walk away from His assignment. Instead He kneeled and offered His life to His Father. In Matthew 26, we’re told Jesus prayed this simple prayer three times:
“My Father, if it is not possible for this painful thing to be taken from me, and if I must do it, I pray that what you want will be done.” (verse 42)
Every time I become aware that there is a lapse in my total and complete surrender to God, I verbally reaffirm my desire for Him to use me according to His will.
If you haven’t told Him lately how much you love Him, offer yourself fully to Him now and experience His warm embrace and His guidance over your life.
You are a light that extinguishes darkness. Your light source is Jesus. By the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, we can ask for anything according to God’s will and expect a manifestation in our life. Through His sacrifice we have the right to boldly approach the throne of God and we have the authority to confront and change any situation in our lives. By the grace and power of His Holy Spirit we will overcome every difficulty.
To God be all the glory, power and honor forever and ever. Amen.
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