Matthew 26:39 New King James (NKJV)
He went a little farther and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, “O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will.”
Luke 22:41-42 New King James (NKJV)
And He was withdrawn from them about a stone’s throw, and He knelt down and prayed, saying, “Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done.”
Reflection:
In life looking back I have only three regrets. The first one of course is that I didn’t start my sanctification process until I was in my early twenties (alas maybe that one would have canceled out the other two). Granted before that, my parents and catholic guilt kept me on the straight and narrow, but it was when I accepted the Jesus as my Lord and Savior is when my perspective in life truly changed.
This past weekend my youngest sibling graduated from college. One of the speakers read a quote that really resonated with me and tied in nicely to what the Lord put on my heart this week – “Life can only be understood backward, but can only be lived forward.” Graduations are a culmination of crossing a finish line after an exhausting long distance run and receiving a great reward. On the one hand you are overjoyed that you even made it there, but then on the other you regret you didn’t “place” better as certain people get recognized for their extra ordinary academic achievements. To regret or not to regret that is the question…
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. – Romans 8:28
The garden of Gethsemane, for me is the single most solitary moment I can sincerely relate to Jesus as it relates to the crushing weight leading up to certain decisions in life. No one can really share or even understand the agony you are feeling other than our Heavenly Father. Remember Beloved, the assignment that God has called you to complete will not be one of convenience, but one of extreme discomfort…not to be confused with the self-inflected discomfort due to disobedience.
“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it. – Matthew 7:13-14
If you study out the word narrow, it reveals so much more as to the agony of choosing to stand and/or walk down the narrow path. Although the broad way has its own sufferings, misery loves company, so that suffering is not done alone. On the contrary, on the narrow path this discomfort happens in every season in life and sometimes multiple times if you stay on the path the Lord has laid out before you. This may all seem really depressing, but with every “pruning” the fruit of the Spirit continues to bloom in your life and that testimony is what not only blesses you, but also everyone around you.
To this day, when I start to feel myself getting tired within my spirit and I start crying out to the Lord as to how long am I going to have to hold this cup of apprehension concerning the road ahead, I speak the words of my Master in Matthew 26:39. Then I start reflecting on Psalms 23:5
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
Instead of looking at the impeding storm in apprehension I should be looking at it with expectation, because just on the other side of the storm/situation, if I stand firm in the Lord my life will be over flowing with joy, miracles, and blessings.
That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side.” – Mark 4:35
When Jesus had again crossed over by boat to the other side of the lake, a large crowd gathered around him while he was by the lake. – Mark 5:21
Then he left them, got back into the boat and crossed to the other side. – Mark 8:13
I don’t know about you, but that is a lot of back and forth on a boat for me. Just reading all these scriptures condensed in the same chapter like this makes me sea sick. Why couldn’t Jesus and the gang, take the scenic route around the lake? Wouldn’t that give them more of an opportunity to see and help more people?
The truth of the matter is that our time on this earth is limited. We have certain predetermined people to help and serve. Our lives should always be directed by the Holy Spirit so that we are in the right place at the right time to do the work of our Father – that is a lot of wave walking to do. Always remember Saints, your cup can always be overflowing, if you take the time to stand still.
Seeking Revelation:
Grab your notebook:
- List out all the regrets that you may have to date.
- Then think what God did with that situation and list out the blessings that was birthed from those situations.
- Remember to share your testimonies with others. They will become seeds in their faith gardens that will someday help someone else.