Morning Devotional

April 5, 2004

"Not Mine, But His" 

by Don Emmitte

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And they came to an olive grove called Gethsemane, and Jesus said, "Sit here while I go and pray." He took Peter, James, and John with him, and he began to be filled with horror and deep distress. He told them, "My soul is crushed with grief to the point of death. Stay here and watch with me." He went on a little farther and fell face down on the ground. He prayed that, if it were possible, the awful hour awaiting him might pass him by. "Abba, Father," he said, "everything is possible for you. Please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will, not mine." (Mark 14:32-36 NLT)

Just the other day we had two very young children in our showroom. We have a play area with a Lego table in it for the children to play while their parents shop. These two were brothers, one only about two years old. A two-year-old’s vocabulary is somewhat limited, although you may be assured it will contain the word “mine.” This was illustrated very clearly when the older of the two reached across the table and picked up one of the blocks to build with and he grabbed it back saying, “No, mine!” Not untypical for a two-year-old!

Of course it is just part of the growing up process. How like this toddler we are, if God doesn't help us get out of the selfish rut, which is inborn into humanity. As adults….who doesn't want things done "their way"- the right way, of course! Who doesn't want pleasures and luxuries of the flesh for themselves? Who wants to be the one who always serves, never to receive: to give, never to get? If we are honest, I believe we all do. It is only through God's power that we are able to put self aside and reap the benefits of - "not my will, but yours, Oh God."

Truly there is a deep delight in putting self aside to give and serve others as God calls us to do. The great satisfaction one receives is a reward to our souls when we are obedient to follow God's plan of putting others first, and I believe great will be our reward in heaven.

In the Garden of Gethsemane many years ago Jesus said to his Heavenly Father, "Yet I want your will, not mine." What difficult words those must have been for him to say, but what rewards for humanity. Giving up "self" doesn't come easy, and it seems to be a continuous battle. But we may stand on God's Word, knowing this is His plan for us. Live your life God's way, and with His help…for surely it is the best!

As we begin this last week of Lent, use the days to examine your level of surrender to God’s will. He may have been calling you to do something very simple and you have been resisting. Yield to the voice of God in your life! You won’t be sorry.