"Not my Will, But Thine, Be Done"

"Behold the handmaid of the Lord; 

be it unto me according to thy word" 

-Luke 1:38

~     ~     ~

~ FLESH VS. SPIRIT ~

A perfect picture and example of God’s Will performed on earth can be found in the book of Matthew 1:18-25.  Here we find the glorious story of the miraculous conception of Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world.  These morsels of scripture not only show God’s Will coming to pass, but also mirror the reality of the pestering resistant battle of our flesh-man.  To further explain, here is a spiritual interpretation of these scriptures:  Jesus, the unborn baby symbolizes the promise or Will of God for a person or in a person.          

The Virgin Mary symbolizes our spirit-man / innermost being – pure and unadulterated – in which the Will of God is conceived.  As was done with Mary, our Heavenly Father wants to impregnate His Church, His people with His Will by the overshadowing power of the Holy Spirit.  This is accomplished when an individual surrenders and submits himself wholly to the mighty, but tender hand of God (reference Jeremiah 18:2-6).  The prayer and cry of our hearts should be:  “Not my will, but yours be done.”  (To get a much greater impact of this prayer, know that the Greek word for “will” here is: “Thelema” meaning - a determination, act, choice, purpose, decree, volition, inclination, desire, and/or pleasure.  The word “will” can also be interchanged with the following:  call, assignment, path, plan, way, destiny, and life).        

When Joseph, Mary’s husband to be, found out that she was with child, he planned to break off the engagement.  Joseph not only symbolizes people in our lives that are unsupportive to the promise or Will of God for us, but more accurately he represents a part of us.  Joseph symbolizes our flesh-man.  He represents the on-going duel that all of God’s children contend with; which is the war against our own flesh, our own desires and our own will.  Joseph’s original plan of separation from Mary symbolizes Christians giving in to their flesh-man due to lack of faith and understanding in the plan of God for their lives.  The Bible tells us that after Joseph received a message from the Lord, he woke up and took Mary to be his wife.  Like Joseph, God’s people / Church need a holy visitation and spiritual awakening in order to accept the perfect Will of God for themselves.          

The marriage symbolizes partial unity or the beginning of unity within oneself, in other words – the submitting of the flesh-man to the spirit.  Joseph did not know Mary / they did not enter into union with one another until after the baby was born.  We cannot allow our flesh to become impatient, and defile or interfere with what God has birthed in our spirit.  The flesh must wait in submission for God’s perfect Will to come to pass.  It is in this process that our flesh is crucified; that we die to our own will and desires.  Therefore, submission alone is not enough.  The flesh must die and it must be stripped away; otherwise the stench of its remains will blend with that which is holy and defile it.          

The “Knowing / Union” of Joseph and Mary after God’s Will was birthed, symbolizes “Life in the Spirit”.  Therefore, I would like to present to you the following spiritual equation:  flesh + submission + death + stripping = “Life in the Spirit”.  

~November 2008

  

"DEEP CALLS TO DEEP"

~ Walking in the Will of God ~

To begin the eternal journey of walking in the “Will of God” can be compared to standing on the sandy seashore overlooking the beautiful vast ocean contemplating whether or not to enter in.  The ocean represents God; majestically breathtaking, deep, wide, enormous, fearful to behold, but ever so wooing.  With each roaring crash of the wonderfully artistic waves breaking against the surface of the water, the Spirit of God is beckoning and calling to those who are still standing on the outskirts of: His Will, His Love, His Life, and “His Son.”  These are the poor lost souls still wandering on the scorched sands of fallen humanity.  From time to time some of these treasured souls take notice of the beautiful vastness calling to them, and they get just close enough to feel the refreshing splash of the tide as it embraces their sun seared feet.  In and out, back and forth – the tide goes – wooing them, summoning them to venture out into the deep.   

“Deep calls to deep”, is the cry of the Spirit of God calling to the innermost being  of mankind.  Those who take heed and answer the call have taken their first precious step into the “Will of God”.  Now, the question that I, and every Born-again Believer, must ask is:  “How far does one go?”  “Ankle high?  Knee high?  Waist high?  Or in over our head?” (reference Ezekiel 47).  The answer depends on how much control we are willing to give up and give to God.  Merely lingering in ankle high water is sadly remaining in an immature state and shallow relationship with God.  Where as, total immersion, is complete surrender and trust in God.  It not only represents God being in control, but it is the inner-secret place of knowing God intimately and being in Unity with Him.  This is “The Deep”. 

~November 2008

"AT HIS FEET"

It is at the feet of God’s only Son

 that we find Humility and  Honor

It is at the feet of our Precious Savior

 that we find Brokenness and Wholeness

It is at the feet of the Holy Lamb of God

that we discover Imperfection and Perfection

It is at the feet of our Crucified King

 that we discover Weakness and Strength

It is at the feet of the Man of Sorrows

that we find Persecution and Favor

It is at the feet of our Righteous Judge

that we are Convicted and Pardoned

It is at the feet of our Merciful Deliverer

 that we find Captivity and Freedom

It is at the feet of the Great I AM

that we become Lost and Found

It is at the feet of our Eternal Redeemer

that we are Crucified and Resurrected

It is at the blood pierced feet of our Lord Jesus

that we find Death and LIFE

LIFE EVERLASTING... 

                                                             

(Original Version- April 23, 2008 -  Revised- October 5, 2011)

"VOICES UNHEARD"

As the wind blows through the trees

and the rain beats upon the window pane,

so are the voices of the neglected and abused -

too often unseen, unheard, and hopelessly in vain.

Oh, who will hear the desolate ones?

Who will hearken to their cry?

Who will run to their aid?

Who will offer more than a “Sigh”?

Oh my, could it be

That it is to be you and it is to be me?

Should we lay down our life,

And enter into their pitiful plight?

"Yea" I say, I say “Yea",

For if we don’t what will become of them?

Some may say, “I will pray,

I will intercede on their behalf."

But then my friend, What good is a prayer

When they need someone to show God cares?

Can you hear the Spirit of God saying,

“Won’t you be my hands extended,

And reach out with my Love as I intended?”

Voices unseen, voices unheard,

We must answer the silent voices

By Giving Love its Due Turn.

 ~December 2008

"A Dance With Despair"

~ PIERCED BY THE LIGHT ~

One day sadness came beating on my door;

It stormed in and pulled me out

and hurled me upon a sinking seashore.

I watched as the waves came crashing down;

they climbed up the beach and dragged me in,

turning this child’s smile into a frown. 

I was sucked under water, deep into the sea.

I couldn’t swim or breathe;

“Oh Dear God, Please Help Me!”

I struggled and struggled to stay afloat,

trying everything to escape my depressive moat.

Sunsets came and sunsets went

while my dance with despair was many years spent.

Then one day a Bright Star appeared

causing my way to become so clear.

It pierced the darkness of my night;

I reached out and grabbed it

and held on with all my might.

The Star gave me purpose,

The Star gave me hope,

it gave me guidance

and strength to cope.

This Bright Star of mine,

I will never let go;

He’s taught me to ride the waves

that once thrashed me to and fro.

Oh Jesus is my Star that shines so Bright;

He is my Lord, my Deliverer,

The One Who wraps me in His Divine Light.

~November 2009

"STRENGTH TO THE WEAK"

~ A Dialogue With God ~

     “My precious child, don’t harden your heart.  I’ve put too much into you.  Trust in Me.  I’ve given you a brand new start.”   
     “My Lord, I know you want me to embark on this new task at hand, but I’m just too apprehensive and cowardly to pursue your plan.  I’m frail and I’m broken and tired of feeling like I don’t belong.  I’ve suffered too much rejection and my heart keeps singing the same sad song.”  
     “I know my child.  You are not alone.  I have given you my LIFE.  My Heart is now your Home.  My perfect love will put all your fears to flight.  My strength is made perfect in your weakness.  I Am your Might.  For you my child, I was rejected, despised, and smitten of men.  I carried all your burdens to put your shame and sorrow to an end.”   
     “Thank you my Lord for Your tender-mercies and kindness.  Thank you for your unfailing Love in continuing to remove my blindness.  I’m trying to see my Lord.  I’m trying to see your plan.  Plans of good and not for evil, but my pain keeps taking a stand.”   
     “Remember my child, this is a walk of Faith and not by sight.  My Word is a Lamp unto your feet.  I am your Healing Light.  I have prayed for you and given you Wings to fly, so Mount up my child like an Eagle in the Sky.  Spread your Wings and let the Winds of my Spirit carry you On High.  Fly my precious child, FLY!”