Without Consulting God

Abba, there was something that struck me powerfully when I contemplated Jesus's passion in Gethsemane. He prayed, he pleaded, he begged to be delivered--I am not sure that is the correct word, but I cannot think of a better one right now--from the suffering that he was fully aware that he would be experiencing imminently.  

You did not answer his prayer "favorably."

At least, you did not answer his prayer with a yes. It was a favorable answer for us, of course, and ultimately it was honoring and glorifying to him and to you. But in that moment, you did not give Jesus what he was asking.

I need this lesson for my own life. What I, in my humanness, ask for is not always, and truthfully not usually, what Your will is. I will intentionally set my mind and my prayers to include "Not my will but Yours be done" as many times as I remember. This practice will help me, Abba, in our current global crises as many people cry out for Your intervention in the evil, violent, murderous situations across the world and even in this very nation.

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Then today, in my TBR devotional, the commentator noted that there was SO much sin in the Scripture passages in Judges, which she suggested directly resulted from those people living lives and making decisions "without consulting God." For someone like me, and to be humble, for ME, this strategy is characteristic. I chalk my decisions up to being wise, intelligent, and even spiritually faithful. In this space, I will also intentionally set my mind and my prayers to consult with you and to consult you. In all things, in all ways, in all decisions, please let me seek your will. You and I both know I will fail hard and often, but may it be less often as I become "holy because [You] are holy." (Leviticus 11)

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(I didn't see it before, but these two entries seem to have a common theme!)

I love You, Abba, I love You, Jesus, and I love You, Spirit. I can't imagine my life without You.