Not as I Will

Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.” Matthew 26:39

I’ve been drawn to this scripture more times than I can count over the past 10 months. This time, I’ve been specifically drawn to … “May this cup be taken from me.”

Wouldn’t it have been great for Jesus if He could die on a cross without having people spit on Him? Things would have been so much easier for Jesus if He didn’t have to endure lashes, a crown of thorns, people mocking Him, or the weight of the cross. Couldn’t He do His Father’s will without having nails strike his flesh?

Jesus knew what He was going to have to endure to complete the will of His Father. In his humanness, He questioned all of it. In the end, though, He says “Nevertheless, not as I will but as you will.”

Lately God has been saying to me, “You said you’re willing to do my will, but are you really willing to handle everything that comes with it?”

I don’t have to endure nails in my hands or wear a crown of thorns. The things in this life are not the same.

Maybe for me if I want to do God’s will, it means being more disciplined and committed. Maybe if I want to do God’s will it means dealing with possible criticism or having my motives questioned. Maybe doing God’s will means being open to vulnerability and hurt.

What does doing God’s will mean for you? Are you still willing to do what He wants no matter what?

If you or I are going to do God’s will, we must be willing to handle everything that comes with it.

Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.” Matthew 26:39