Stand

As Easter is around the corner, the story of Jesus, that I have heard several times before has revealed a new concept to me. While I was teaching and planning children lessons for schools in the community a verse in Mark seemed to jump out and hit me in the face. I don't know why these words of His never impacted me before. However take a minute to read them yourselves.

Going a little farther, he fell to the ground and prayed that if possible the hour might pass from him. “Abba, Father,” he said, “everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.” Mark 14:35-36

My heart is stirred when I read this. Just picture Jesus there alone praying to his Father that He does not want to do this but that He trusts His Fathers plan so much, that he will go and die. I never really thought that Jesus would ask for this pain and sorrow to be taken away from him but he did. To me his actions and words are comforting and challenging. 

It brought comfort to know that Jesus wasn't like, yes Lord this plan makes perfect sense to me and I will do it with a smile on my face. His Love for us came with a price and though he may of had Joy in his heart, this surly wasn't on his top 10 list of experiences to have while alive. 
I say this because I can relate in some small way. Being here in Darwin has been pretty hard. I am unable to see the Lords big plan for this trip and its been the opposite of what I am use to. Jesus' journey wasn't easy, though he had an easier time listening to God then I do, he still stayed on the path His Father laid out for him. 

Its a challenge because I think of how many times did I not want to do something because it wasn't in my plan? I'm learning to have confidence in the Lords plan for my life. Not that His plan will meet all my goals and dreams but that it might expand the kingdom. I want to be so firm in the Lord that when persecution is before me that I say "yet not what I will, but what you will".