A Gethsemane Lifestyle
He went a little farther, and falling on His face, He prayed, O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me. Nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will.
- Matthew 26:39
God will orchestrate circumstances to cause us to surrender our will to His. Surrender never comes without a struggle. Your soul--your mind, will, and emotions--will struggle with your spirit for control of your thoughts and actions.
We struggle because we don't know tomorrow. We can only see today, but God knows and understands tomorrow the same way we know and understand yesterday. We do not know what tomorrow holds, but we know Who holds tomorrow!
Why do we often resist our heavenly Father's plan? Because in order to operate in that plan, we must live a Gethsemane lifestyle. Just as Jesus struggled in the Garden of Gethsemane, we too must come to the point where we are willing to say, "Not my will, but Thine be done." We must come to the point of surrendering our will and acknowledging and accepting His will at work in our lives.
Have you bowed your knee in surrender, or are you still struggling for control of your tomorrow? Living a Gethsemane lifestyle is a continual dying to soul, to self, and to the flesh, and surrendering to God's will.
Father, I offer You the sacrifice of my soul -- my mind, will, and emotions. I desire the mind of Christ. I want to do Your will. I seek to feel according to Your desires. I empty myself of me and ask You to fill me with Your overflowing Holy Spirit. Amen.
Further Reading
- Psalm 95:6
- Isaiah 45:23
- Philippians 2:9-11
