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.
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.
Write more stuff about God and things and stuff! Also you posted this at 9:41. Which is weird.
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