ChristMyLife.org - Not my will, but Yours be done

At any point of time in my life where my heart's desire does not reflect Christ's words, "not my will, but Yours be done", we are most certainly not following Christ. We are most certainly not abiding in Christ. We are most certainly going our own way.

I can see times where I have struggled to let go of some thought or desire. I knew it wasn't something I should be thinking about or worrying about, but I was helpless to control it. It just kept coming back. It was then that I realized that I was not submitted to Christ. The reason I couldn't stop wanting this or that to happen in my life is because I wanted what I wanted. I wanted my own way. Only when I laid my own desires aside and submitted to Christ was I free.

This truth is not some formula or magic method for success. Yielding to Christ and trusting the Lord with all our hearts is the mark of those who are followers of Christ. Sadly, the term "followers of Christ" has lost its power and is more of just another label for a "Christian". Most people probably think of it as simply an indication as someone who is religious and goes to church. In truth, follower of Christ is just that: one who follows Christ. Following Christ means we are NOT following our own desires. I would remind us of Christ's words in Luke 9:23-24:

Then he said to them all: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it.

A follower of Christ has no agenda of their own. A follower of Christ has no life of their own. They have yielded it all to Him and are lost in Him.

There is no reason to struggle even for a minute with the flesh. When you find yourself on the wrong track, frustrated, worried, afraid or whatever, recognize that in these times you are not surrendered to Christ. You have gone your own way and are simply reaping from the flesh.

June 2008

Printer friendly version of this page.