“But recall the former days when, after you were enlightened, you endured a hard struggle with sufferings, sometimes being publicly exposed to reproach and affliction, and sometimes being partners with those so treated. For you had compassion on those in prison, and you joyfully accepted the plundering of your property, since you knew that you yourselves had a better possession and an abiding one. Therefore do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised.” Hebrews 10:32-36 (ESV)
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 the church had not been permitted to participate in the 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. Of course, the two 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 your grace and mercy. Thank you for a submissive spirit. Forgive us for our 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. In Jesus’ name, AMEN.
Let us praise God for his plan and live to achieve his purpose,