YOUR WILL BE DONE, O LORD
- Dr. Teresa Allissa Citro
- Jun 20, 2019
- 5 min read
“Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”
Mathew 6:10
For the past month, I have not been able to stop thinking about this verse in the Lord’s prayer.
There’s a will in heaven for our lives. First question to ask is: Who’s will? That’s simple: God’s will. Here is where we make our first mistake. Somehow we think that whatever God has for us we're not going to like it. You see, this is where OUR will tries to take over. We're afraid of the unknown. Therefore, we run from it. Let me be clear. God never gives us something we're going to hate. Never!
Secondly, and this is where if we are not careful we will miss it. What is this will? It’s the desire of the very heart of God to give us His very best. In Heaven, there’s no disobedience, which is the total opposite from here on earth. Not everyone is quick to actually do His will here on earth. It’s like our will and God’s will collide. We struggle with OUR resistance. Somehow, we think we know best. We don’t!
Jesus Himself prayed that famous prayer right before He was arrested and then crucified. He asked God to take the cup away from Him. “Nevertheless, let your will be done.” Jesus was talking about the cross. Yet, He was obedient. He did what the will of God was, fulfilling His purpose. Well, it’s like that for us, too.
I was convicted in the early hours this morning. As I woke up in the middle of the night, I asked God daily to please let me be dead smack in the center of His will. This is a no nonsense prayer for me. I’m very serious. I, literally, beg God to keep me in His perfect will. As much as a honorable prayer that might be, I believe I was failing miserably.
Let me explain.
As God started to reveal some things to me. I started to pray against His will, without even noticing. You see, our will many times doesn’t want to accept His will. Perhaps, His will makes absolutely, no sense to us. It makes us uncomfortable, it challenges us, it frightens us, or we think it is way to complicated. Whatever, the reason might be it is wrong for us to go against it, and if we are not careful we will totally miss it.
I found myself telling God why I thought His will didn’t make sense. I literally, gave a huge list as to why this particular leading of His wasn’t for me. I know, I know, how dare I? Well, last week, I was on the phone praying with my Executive Director, Linda. I can’t believe I was actually praying this way. I now feel so ashamed. There I was while I was praying, giving God all the reasons why I must of be hearing wrong, and this couldn’t possibly be His will. When all of a sudden, God gave me an interpretation. The Holy Spirit moved in, and the fire fell. Through His Spirit the questions came at me fast and furious. I talk fast, but this day? I couldn’t slow it down if I tried.
“Who are you to tell me how I should do things? Were you there as I was planning your life? Are you there in the secret places of the heart? Do you know what’s in the heart of man? Do you think you are a better planner then I? Do you know the beginning to the end? Do you know the future? Do you think you know better than I?" I have them all out of order, here, and I’m sure His words were even more piercing then what I just wrote here. I’m summarizing here. My son, Justin, happened to be sitting in the family room, while Linda and I were praying. When I opened my eyes I saw his shocked face, and Linda wasn’t saying one word. I was shocked.
Finally, my son said, “Mom, I think God just put you in your place. Do you realize when you were praying, you were busy telling God why you couldn’t accept His will? Mom!!! He shut you up. He gave you a prophetic message, midsentence, Mom. You had half a word still in your mouth. God stopped you from continuing your ridiculous prayer. What were you thinking, Mom?" Ok, people, I had a ouch moment, and I didn’t like it.
All last week, and this week, I have tried to forget it. I have done everything humanly possible to run away from it, closing myself in behind nice tall walls. Early this morning, I felt God asking me to go read the verse again. As I did, I began to understand important things. We can run away from the will of God. It’s possible, and it happens often. This why Jesus tells us to pray, “Let your will be done on earth as it is in Heaven.” There’s an amazing will for our lives, it’s up to us to take it. Are you taking yours?
What hit me was accepting God’s will. Sometimes we need to accept His will, even if we feel frightened by it. The better prayer then becomes, “God, change me. Change my heart. Change my mind, and help me to accept Your will.” I can’t help to think about Abraham and that trip he made with Isaac to sacrifice him, or Mary unmarried and carrying the Lord Jesus, or Hosea marrying the prostitute. Why did God have to do things this way? Wasn’t there a better and more of explanatory way?
See, God is God, and we cannot possibly fathom everything He does. Our greatest joy and pleasure should be to desire, seek, and partner with God by doing His perfect will in our lives. God doesn’t need us. But out of His love, He makes us partakers with Him.
Look it, it’s true. Sometimes God has us on a road, then that road reroutes us in another way. We panic, lose control, and we get scared. It’s ok to acknowledge our feelings. It’s not ok to get off the road. Choose to stay the course, and choose God’s will that is in heaven waiting to be accomplished here on earth.
Step out boldly, by faith, and do what God shows you. Finally, don’t be like me and tell God why His way isn’t a good one. His plans are greater than our plans, and His thoughts much higher than ours. Be in the complete center of His will. It’s there that you find the greatest of treasures and blessings.
Dr. Teresa Allissa Citro
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, thank You for being patient with me, and thank You for keeping me safe. Father, I'm sorry for the times I have told You how to do things and how everything should work out. You have not given me the spirit of fear but of power and of love and of a sound mind. Discipline me and correct me when I have sinned against you, when I've rebelled against you, and teach me a better way, Lord. I give myself to You and to Your will so that I might live for You. Continue Your work in me as I study Your Word and obey Your commandments. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Linda A. Knowles
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