I say the Lord’s Prayer at church every Sunday, but do I really mean thy will be done?

I was making the bed when Robert walked in. Always the helper, he immediately picked up the pillows and proceeded to put them on the bed.

I said, “No, you don’t have to help me. I’ve got this.” Robert replied, “No, what you really mean is that you want to do it your way.”

Busted.

We both laughed, but he was right. Our bedspread is rather difficult to make it all smooth. When Robert makes the bed, it’s a little disheveled. In other words, it’s not the way I like it.

Do We Mean it When We Say Thy Will Be Done?

My will is rather strong. That point was made by wanting to make the bed my way.

I’ve mentioned many times that I pick a word for the year . This year’s word is Surrender. Last year’s was willing. When you put the two together, I guess I’m finally willing to surrender. : )

We Don’t Want to Do Something Against Our Will

Who in their right mind wants to be forced to do something against your will? Unfortunately, I was brought up with teaching that on earth we are meant to suffer. Heaven was our prize where we would be happy. The, “I have said these things to you so that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be complete,” John 15:11…. they left that part out.  

It only makes sense that if God is Love, God’s will for us would be wanting the very best for us.

Jesus continues his teaching in Matthew Chapter 7 about asking and it will be given to you. Seek and you will find. Knock and the door will be opened.

“Is there anyone among you who, if your child asks for bread, will give a stone? Or if the child asks for a fish, will give a snake? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good things to those who ask him!” (Note the exclamation mark.)

Thy Will Be Done – Not Either Or but Both And  

God is not the God of it’s My way or the highway. God is also not the God of your wish is my command like a genie in a bottle.

God puts desires in our hearts. It is neither God’s will or my will. It is both and – God’s will and our will, those desires we have on our hearts asking for God to guide us.

It’s learning to be still to listen so we can discern our next steps. Then it’s letting go of the baggage of the past and the voices that are not from God. Then trusting God, trusting ourselves and trusting others to help us. That’s how we live into a life of continuous joy and flow, the flow of our will and God’s will moving us forward without striving and pushing.

I illustrate this flow with an example in The Four Steps to FLOW. God gave me this little formula while going through one of the most challenging times of my life when caring for my mother. It is a simple way to think of what I mean by FLOW.

May you really mean thy will be done and seek God’s will, allowing God to show it to you. When you do, you will find the grasping of doing it my way soften, as you navigate life together.

Have a story of your own to share? I’d love for you to leave it in the comment section below.

   

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