“Father, if you are
willing, please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will
to be done, not mine.”
—Luke
22:42 NLT
You
long for peace and for blessing, yet you do not want to walk my path. You are
unwilling to experience the way of the cross to know my glory and power. You
look for instant answers and instant intimacy with me, yet you do not want to
give me the time of day until your crisis is upon you. Just as my Son, you ask
for release, but deep inside, and unlike Him, you are not willing. You want
escape from the very thing I have allowed to shape your character and give you
purpose.
Desire
me above all else. Place your will on my altar as your most precious offering.
I gave up my will for you when I died for you. Now I long for yours to be given
in love. Now I seek yours. Trust that what I shall do is best for you. Believe
that I am powerful enough to do anything and everything. Believe that nothing
is impossible in my hand. Then leave your requests with me with thanksgiving in
your heart. Give me your tired heart, your struggles, your hard days, your
thoughts, your whole being—all within that yearns to be free. Allow my will to
shape your life. My freedom only comes by way of the cross.
When
you give yourself to me, I am the Lord of your past, present, and future. Your
past is no more. Your present is my fire that refines. Your future is my
promise upon which I gave my oath. Right now, child, if you knew every event to
come, it would either be too painful or too amazing for you to even comprehend
its importance. I reveal your future as I determine. Have faith that I have
loved you with my everlasting love and drawn you in my unfailing kindness.
Peace
comes when you are willing to lay down self just as I was willing to lay down
self. If you accept my heart and my will, you will know my joy. When I have
your will in my hands, you will know my incredible peace. Look to me. I am the
author and the finisher of your faith. The greatest joy and peace and
fulfillment and glory is found in my purpose. Allow me to shape your character.
Allow me to be everything you need. Allow me, and you will be free in whatever
lies before you. I will be your answer—your power—your purpose.
Lay
it all down. Let this be the place where you die, and rise again.
© 2018 Lynn Lacher
www.lynnlacher.com/2018/09/lay-down.html