“Remember those earlier days after you had received the light, when you stood your ground in a great contest in the face of suffering. Sometimes you were publicly exposed to insult and persecution; at other times you stood side by side with those who were so treated. You sympathized with those in prison and joyfully accepted the confiscation of your property, because you knew that you yourselves had better and lasting possessions. So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.” Hebrews 10:32-36 (NIV)
Frank awoke early from a restless, nearly sleepless night. His head and neck ached. His heart labored in a storm of uneasy confusion. He had tried to pray but peace eluded him.
Frank knew why. His church was getting a new pastor and he wasn’t ready for the old one to go. He was deeply hurt by the pastor’s decision to accept a new pastoral position. Though he remained calm outwardly, he could barely be gracious about it.
It angered him that he and the church had not been permitted to participate in the pastoral change decision. He spent yesterday thinking of perfectly good reasons why this pastoral change should not happen. Fortunately, he knew it was his emotions and pride rather than the Holy Spirit that prompted these thoughts. He sighed and began praying again.
Not realizing that his prayer was audible, he was interrupted by his wife, who sat up on the bedside and said, “Frank, have you considered the will of God in this?”
The will of God. Her question nearly knocked him off the bed. Frank knew that he truly wanted God’s will to be done. He also wanted his own will to be God’s will. The two of course didn’t match. He remembered Christ in Gethsemane, “Not my will but thine be done.” Christ’s perspective and example changed everything. It meant that if the old pastor and the new pastor could submit to the will of God, then so could he. Because we are all laborers together with God.
Frank, smiled and went to the shower. He had just added inches to his spiritual stature by considering things from the Lord’s perspective.
Dear Father, thank you for a submissive spirit. Forgive me for my feeble, foolish wicked ways. Empower me and all those who read these words to truly submit to you and acknowledge you in all our ways. Put in our hearts the desires which you desire. I pray this in the name of Jesus. AMEN
Be encouraged in God’s will for and His promise to you,