Your Will Be Done, On Earth As In Heaven

Kathy (not her real name) was angry. She claimed that her husband was a selfish, miserable, critical man all the time! I have no reason to doubt that she was mostly telling the truth. The subtext of the story is that life has been turned inside out for her over the last few years - health problems, family turmoil - being just two of the difficult things in her life. She is a Believer and prays. Like many Christians, she thinks that Jesus should make her happy, that prayer should work like aspirin to make pain disappear, and that her Pastor should be able to dispense a spiritual prescription to make life easier.

Following Jesus is not a plan to make Kathy, or me, or you necessarily more happy by current standards. Jesus does not guarantee us smoother skin, better sex, or fatter wallets. He promises us His Presence and His Peace! At the Last Supper, to men who were stunned by His declaration that He was going to die, He said: "Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." (John 14:27, NKJV)

And where would they find such peace? In a life intimately connected relationally to Him. He illustrated that by saying, "I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener." (John 15:1, NIV) "As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father's commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete." (John 15:9-11, NIV)

When Kathy's anger poured out, I did not condemn her. The truth is that life stinks for her right now! I believe Jesus weeps with her, too. He would not ask her to deny her pain, but He would call her from 'solutions' that are not real answers. He would point her to the necessity of making the choice to trust God, to ask Him for the miracle of bold love for her husband that mixes honesty and empathy, challenge and comfort. God can use her then to minister grace to this man who is working through his own struggles with life's disappointments and issues of faith.

Contemporary 'wisdom' would counsel Kathy to issue an ultimatum to Jim (not his real name) and if he does not change, to divorce him and try again. God's wisdom says "I say, love your enemies! Do good to those who hate you. Bless those who curse you. Pray for those who hurt you." (Luke 6:27-28, NLT) Obedience provides an opportunity for God to finish His work in us, for us to know grace, and for depth of intimacy with Him to grow. And faith allows God to do amazing things in the world around us.

Jesus says, "I will never leave you, never forsake you." Is that your hope today, Believer, to live with Him at your side, to be hidden in His love and grace? We are tempted to live as animals live - foraging for food, fighting for security, and reproducing. God calls us higher. He calls us to live in Him, to let His Presence and Peace flow into our lives. Will you believe this promise? "Your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you." (Matthew 6:32-33, NKJV) There it is! Invite and submit to His rule - and He will take care of food, security, and the future!

"In this manner, therefore, pray:
Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name.
Your kingdom come. Your will be done
On earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts, As we forgive our debtors.
And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one.

For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen."

(Matthew 6:9-13, NKJV)