Day 02 - Saying yes to God’s will
If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it
Perhaps the two greatest lies of the enemy are that our life and our time are ours to possess. From that we are lured into a false sense of security that we are somehow in control of our lives. But this sense of control can quickly be unraveled. All it takes is a crisis or tragedy in our world and suddenly, no ground feels solid.
That is a picture of following our own will for our lives. The results drastically change when we realise that in Christ, my life and my time are no longer mine to possess but God’s. It was God who gave me life through Jesus. Matthew 16:25 puts it this way, ‘If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it.’
Jesus’ life was a perfect model for us. His time was not his own. Repeatedly we see Jesus getting interrupted on his way to something. The lady with the issue of blood (Luke 8), or the man being lowered through the roof after his friends break a hole in the roof in the middle of a sermon! (Mark 2:) But these were not interruptions for Jesus. Rather, they were another opportunity to show the love of the Father to broken and hurting people. His life was not his own.
In the garden in Mark 14 we see Jesus pleading with God to take this cup from him. Yet he closes with the statement, ‘Not my will but your will be done’ (Mark 14:36).
Where is it we can find the will of God? In intimacy with our Father. In that place we get a glimpse of His heart, which burns with love for people. When you see that you cannot help but be swept into His will that isn’t hindered by schedule, convenience, or fear but one that is so in love with people that you have to tell them about the hope and joy you have found in him!
The only thing in our control is whether we choose to say yes to the will of God or try to work things out in our own strength.
Challenge: Pray and Reflect
Prayer: Father help me to surrender the grip that I so often have on my own life. You have set me free through the blood of Jesus. You have taken my old life and replaced it with something new. Help me, lead me into your will for my life. I know I cannot do this on my own, but through your strength all things are possible.
Help me say yes to your will today. I serve you and not myself. Give me your heart for people and give me opportunity to demonstrate your love to those around me. My life is yours. My time is yours. I am ready for you to move in and through my life.