32 They went to a place called Gethsemane, and Jesus said to his disciples, “Sit here while I pray.” 33 He took Peter, James and John along with him, and he began to be deeply distressed and troubled. 34 “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death,” he said to them. “Stay here and keep watch.”
35 Going a little farther, he fell to the ground and prayed that if possible the hour might pass from him. 36 “Abba,[f] Father,”he said, “everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.”
37 Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. “Simon,” he said to Peter, “are you asleep? Couldn’t you keep watch for one hour? 38 Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
Few days ago, in bible class, Pastor Adam had us turn to this passage. I don't remember what for, but it stuck out to me so much!
Entering my Junior year, I've had to make a lot of decisions. what classes to take, which high school to go to? What sports to play? What extra-curricular activities to get involved in? There will be some bigger decisions to be made further down the road, but pretty soon. Such as....where to go to college? what to major in? what kind of group I want to hang out with? what career/job i want to pursue? who to marry? where to live?
I must say, this is the 'dilemna' of my life. It is the most important thing in our lives because we have the responsibility of seeking out God's will. I'm gonna be honest, I'm very impatient at times. I'd say I'm seeking for his will and I'd pray the prayer " God, please let your will be done in such and such area" And I would say...ok, what now? Is he going to magically tell me what to do? I guess not. I mean, I know it won't be that way. I still haven't figured out how to seek his own will and make sure every decision i make is his will. BUT! in the bible it says everything will be in God's plan....does that mean God controls every decision we make; thus making us simply robots? I don't think that's right because he has given us free will... I'm getting a little theological here, but that's what's been going through my mind for the past several months. However, prayer is the key, so I need to learn to be more patient and pray about it more and he will reveal his plans. ...........Easy to say, but perhaps the hardest to do.
That's not even what I was really going to talk about. I think this passage answers some question about that. Verse 36 is incredible Jesus, the son of God is about to be separated from his father God to take on the world's sin and he is saying father please remove this cup from me! BUT! He then says, it is your will not mine. That blows my mind away to see that son of God submits to his father God and shows that he himself does not have control over what happens. This can easily be applied to my life. If Jesus said that things will be done in Father's will...who am i to even question that? It does give me comfort and assurance because God is in control. I can complain all I want. I can complain about the homework I'm doing, the job I have, and the family I'm put in. But in the end, i remember that everything cannot be what I will, but what God wills. The next few verses, simon is sleeping i guess...and jesus tells him to wake up because this is the important hour. He then says, The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak.
That is soooo true in my life. My spirit and mind tells me to read my bible everyday, pray more, seek to have a better relationship with God. Even in academics/sports! I want to work harder and get better, but my flesh is weak and i usually cannot do it. I usually do not read my bible more just because my spirit is willing. We have a very weak flesh...that's why we need to pray more.
Conclusion... I rest my soul in Jesus whom provides me with strength and know that I must submit to his will. I close with this prayer..
Dear heavenly father,
thank you for letting me express my thoughts and what I've l
earned from your words in this form of communication! I reflect on what Ive learned and realize that you ARE the almighty God that provides strength and plan for me. Please help me not to be selfish when I make decisions, whether important or less important. help me to think about what your will is and seek it out patiently. Lord, strengthen my flesh. Please give me the will to carry out the things that I seek to do in my hearts. I have so much to decide in next...6 to 9 months. These decisions will most likely shape and form my life and career and social settings. Please, please direct my path and make them clear. Thank you for this great night, in your son's precious name I pray, Amen.
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