Tapping OutSample

My Will vs. Thy Will

I watched a video recently in which the speaker talked about how God was calling him to volunteer in a new way at his church.

But what struck me was what he learned through the process. He talked about how Jesus guides our steps and our “stops.”

That is such an interesting way to consider the concept of submission.

It’s easy to submit when Jesus has us taking steps that we like. An exciting new job. A ministry at the church that feels like a perfect fit for us. A secure bank account.

But what about when He calls us to a “stop,” a time when things are not what we like? The unexpected loss of a job? A turn in our health? A hit to our finances?

Are we still willing to submit to Him when the very decision feels more like a tap-out than a victory?

Jesus Himself had this very same battle for His will when, on the night He would be arrested, He went to a nearby garden, got down on His knees, and prayed a short but powerful prayer.

For His entire life, Jesus’ will was completely in line with His Father’s will. The ministry and the miracles showed their powerful agreement and alignment, even to the point where, when the hardships came, Jesus stayed in line with His Father.

But that night, when the will of His Father came up against the will of Jesus’ own personal sovereignty, would He still submit and follow no matter what?

Christ’s answer: “...yet not my will, but yours be done.” (Luke 22:42 NIV, emphasis added)

And it was this submission that led to the ultimate victory that only He saw coming.

When it comes to our personal sovereignty, are we willing to submit and let Jesus guide our steps and our stops, trusting that He will bring us to an ultimate victory only He can see?

There’s only one way to find out.

Submit.

Prayer: Jesus, thank You that You are in control of my steps. Help me submit to You even in the stops. Amen.

Reflection: What is a time when Jesus led you in a “step”? What is a time Jesus led you to a “stop”? Which one was easier to submit to, and what did He teach you in both times?