The Death of Will

While I no longer claim to be Southern Baptist, there were some good things that came from being raised that way that I will never forget. One of which was a question taught by David Atkins from a Catechism: "What is the chief end of man? To glorify God and enjoy Him forever."

This is so straightforward that the simpleness of it is overlooked for something more complex.
It is so straightforward that I have trouble understanding it.
There are many reasons for this but most can be connected a a sin such as pride.
Some other reasons can be because I seek a way to control how and when this happens.
Perhaps Luke 22:42 offers some help to enjoying God when pride and control abound.

It says, "Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done."

Jesus is getting ready to start the crucifixion process and then he prays this.
He is asking God for a different way, but in the end He understands the importance of things happening this way. He understands the perfect will of God. He understands that it sometimes looks different than how we think it should. And in this is one way that we can glorify God and enjoy Him forever. It is the death of our will.
It is the death of wanting things to go our way.
It is the death of thinking we know everything and have all the information.
It is the death of self.

And this is where I struggle.
Your will instead of mine.
That is what leads to the best life.
My pride tells me that I am always right and that others (including God) don't know what is going on. But the truth is, it doesn't matter how much I think I know, or how right I think I am, if I am not seeking Him first and laying down my will, I have no idea what it means to glorify God and enjoy Him forever.

Not my will, but yours be done.

How does someone even say that and mean it and live it?
How am I supposed to live in such a way that isn't absolutely selfish.
That is how society teaches me to live, what can I do?
How do I do something that constantly seems so out of reach?

It has to be everyday.
The death of my will has to happen everyday.
It is continual. It is admitting that I am not God.
It is looking to Jesus and realizing that if He had to do it, it would be foolish for me to think that I do not have to lay my will aside.

Not my will, but yours be done.
Everyday.

The Glory of it All

What even is there to say after the last few days in this country. How do I respond? How should a believer, a follower of Christ respond to lives being lost? Do I seek justice? Do I pray? Do I offer scripture? Do I post cute little sayings? Do I deflect and post stuff that has absolutely nothing to do with anything? What do I do?

What do I know?
Death is hard.
It comes for everyone.
It is impossible to escape.
Sometimes it comes far too early.
Sometimes it comes in unjust ways.
Sometimes it just doesn't make any sense.
But knowing this, doesn't make it any easier when death comes.
Alton Sterling's family knows this.
Philando Castile's family knows this.
The family of the officer's in Dallas know this.
I know this.
If you're reading this, you probably have lost someone close to you and know it as well.
If you haven't lost someone close, you are blessed with that but know, you will eventually.

Anything else to say here feels cheap. I've tried.
It seems that we do not get mourn and grieve without someone telling us we are doing it wrong or someone saying we should not mourn the loss of a certain life for some stupid reason in this internet age.

Don't be that person.
Don't trivialize what others are feeling.
Just because you are heartless doesn't mean that there is nothing to grieve.

Allow people to mourn for the loss of life.
Allow people to grieve for the state of this nation.
Don't trivialize this for someone else because you don't get it.
Don't offer cheap anecdotes because you don't know what to say.
Don't be Job's "friends" that tell him he is wrong for grieving the loss of his family.
Don't start a pointless argument on the internet because you are ignorant.
If someone is grieving and you don't know what to say, don't say anything.
You don't have to say something all the time.
Hold a hand. Give a hug. Cry with them.
If you want to show some someone love, just be there.