Wanting what God wants

When we lay down our right to ourselves, which Christ asks of all His followers, we are giving up our wills to Him.

Christ laid down His will while praying in the Garden of Gethsemane before His crucifixion.  Since He was fully man as well as fully God, in His own will, He did not want to go to the cross.  Who would?  But He laid down His own will for that of God's will.

How does this play out in our own lives?

When we belong to Christ, we are called to follow Jesus' example.  This is done not only by "living right," but by doing whatever He wills for us, no matter the cost.  

Are you that type of Christian?  That is really the only kind that God uses fully.  There are those who still want their own way in some areas of their lives.  They cannot possibly "know better" than God Almighty.  But maybe in their minds, they prefer their personal "kingdoms," whatever they think they're building, over staying true to God's Kingdom.

Is your mindset all about this life?  Or do you consider eternity?  

If Christ considered this life the "end all," He might have asserted His own will and not gone to the cross.  After all, wanting the things of this life more than we want God keeps us earthbound to all this life offers.

I believe that when God thwarts our "good" plans, it is always and only for our very good.  But some simply can't let go of what they think "should" be.

That is not the true Christian life, friends.

True Christians know that they no longer call the shots in their lives.  They know that their life is no longer their own.  This is what it means to lay down the right to ourselves.

Are you there yet?  If not, you can decide right now that you are all in with Jesus; that you do want His will over and above your own.  

No need to fear.  I can tell you right now that it will most likely not go as you want or hope!  It did not go well for the apostle Paul if you consider the "perks" of this life.  Nor did it go "well" for Jesus' disciples.

Are we any different?  Either we are Jesus' disciples or we are not.  Either we are willing to follow Him wherever He leads or not.  This may or may not involve a "cross" in our lives.  

When we see death not as the end, not as the enemy, but embrace it as the gateway into the eternal Presence of Christ, we are able to let go of this life, the things of this world that eventually fade; the things that do not truly provide the purpose and peace that we were made for.

There is a price to pay, for sure.  We can't just "do whatever we want" when we belong to Christ.  But instead of this sounding confining, we learn that the opposite is true.  We are totally free when we submit to the Father!  If we are not accustomed to seeing the hierarchy of life this way, we will feel like following Christ is a burden instead of seeing it as true freedom.  

Where are you today?  Does this message bother you or set you free?  It all comes down to the condition of your heart.

Having the end game of eternity in mind is key in this.  We are still here for now.  But we are present knowing that we are just passing through.  Yes, we have much to do while here.  But it's not about checking off the items on your "bucket list."  Can you even imagine Jesus having a bucket list?!  When we look at it that way, it sounds ludicrous.

No.  Christ was all about doing His Father's will, not accumulating "memories" or accomplishing what the world deems right or appropriate.

Christians need to stop looking to the world and its ways for life, because real life is not found there. I just now mis-typed lie when I was typing life!  Ha!  Thank you, Lord.  For what this world offers and the "life" it offers is truly a lie compared to knowing Christ and His life in us and for us.

What say you?  Have you settled the matter in your heart and mind once and for all that you want God's will above your own?  Please do not see it as a negative, friends, but as the key to set you free from self.  

For Jesus is so worthy of our full devotion and obedience.  Whatever His will, we say yes!