Thy Will Be Done
God speaks through music
Luke 22: 41-42. (HCSB)
Then He withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, knelt down, and began to pray, “Father, if You are willing, take this cup away from Me—nevertheless, not My will, but Yours, be done.”
1 Peter 5:6-10 (ESV)
Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.
One morning this week, I was listening to my favorite radio station, z88.3, out of Orlando. I generally turn it on before I get out of bed every morning. The first song of the day was “Thy Will Be Done” by Hillary Scott. Although I’ve heard this song many times, the lyrics really caught my ear and my heart that morning:
“I’m so confused. I know I heard you loud and clear. So, I followed through. Somehow I ended up here...I don’t wanna think, I may never understand, that my broken heart is a part of your plan...When I try to pray, all I got is hurt....”
Without going into detail, the last two years have been very challenging, and the pressure valve doubled down this entire last year. I really heard God say loudly and clearly to take on a specific project, which I did. I followed through...and the project has taken me “here,” a very difficult place that has taken much work, personal sacrifice, and struggle. Piled on top of that have been the health struggles of the last year, the public spectacle of the State Medical Board censoring my speech and suspending my license, and now the government weaponizing the IRS against me, and a few more things I can’t mention. The mental, emotional, physical, and financial stress has been over the moon.
But what struck me the most from that song, that I have now listened to over and over again, were the next words in the song:
THY WILL BE DONE.
The lyrics continue –
“I know You’re Good, but this don’t feel good right now.”
I’ve told some of my closest friends over the last few months that I have felt like I’m already on the ground and was continually being kicked in the ribs, over and over again.
Oh, I’ve “heard it all” in the last year from well-meaning friends:
“It’s your Job moment.”
“God’s in control.”
“He won’t give you more than you can bear.”
“He’s there with you.”
.... and more.
When your strength and faith are seriously challenged at the same time, it’s a normal part of being human to search your soul, crying out to God, “Why? Why is this happening? What do I need to do differently? How do I need to be better? Who do I need to forgive deeper?” and on and on.
So, through the words of that familiar song, I think I finally “got it.”
It dawned on me what this season in my life has been about: Surrender. Full, complete, absolute surrender to Thy Will Be Done.
Nothing we do, see, or have here on Earth is permanent. Only a handful of humans – a few hundred....maybe? - out of the billions who have walked this planet in the last 10-12,000 years, have left behind any memories of anything they have done or who they were. It’s all temporal and temporary. Why struggle with it? Why worry about it? Why try to cling to it? Why try to change or direct any of it?
Let go. Let God....by humbly saying and then quietly knowing in your spirit Thy Will Be Done.
Today’s Prayer
Dear Abba Father, forgive me for taking life too seriously, for fighting to hang on when I should have let go, for worrying when I should have just believed. Forgive me when my faith was paper thin. Thank you for listening when I thought You had turned a deaf ear. Thank You for carrying me when I thought I was drowning. Thank You for loving me when I was being petulant. Please help me to accept the path you paved for me and to let the timeline be aligned with Thy Will Being Done. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Click on the picture to order.
Click on the picture to order.
His kingdom come, His will be done, amen.
This seems to be a season in which the enemy is allowed to have his way.
One day, he will be forever vanquished.
And, we all will have a front row seat.
My wife and j in are in a similar spot. We began a journey that He showed us and it has us stretched to the limits of who we thought we were. But Now unto him who is able to do exceeding abundantly far beyond all we could ever ask or think. Thank you for your transparency and your obedience to this difficult courageous call. We must continually encourage one another to good works. Thank you Sherry. You helped my sister before she passed and were so kind to her. She spoke so highly of you. Blessings. - Don and Barb.