16TH AUGUST
Matthew 26:39-42
“And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, ‘My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.” …Again, for the second time, he went away and prayed, ‘My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, your will be done.’”
Living out your sentness in the lives of the people around you takes commitment!
Jesus knew that one of the reasons he came into our world was to die on the cross, opening the only way for people to be made right with God. There was joy involved in this. Hebrews 12:2 tells us that “for the joy that was set before him [Jesus] endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.”
But there was also a deep, deep cost.
There will be a cost for you too. You will need to reach beyond your comfortable circle of relationships to include others in your life; you will need to open up your heart to them; not all of them will return your love; you will need to stop just taking life as it comes and begin living with intentionality in your relationships; and your life may be impacted in more costly ways than these.
But God will take pleasure in your commitment to his call on your life, and he will bless you and strengthen you for what he calls you to. Like Jesus, your commitment to God’s purpose for you will add great meaning to your life!
MAKE IT PERSONAL:
Why do you think it’s so difficult to be committed to God’s call? Why do you think people who are involved in ministry often? Commit your day to God! Go into today committed to live “not as I will, but as you will.”