Hello

Most of us are probably familiar with movies or books where the central character, usually a young person, suddenly finds that the world they’ve experienced so far in their lives isn’t the whole story.  They find out that something much bigger and more exciting is going on and they become part of it.  Some examples of this would be Star Wars, the Matrix, Lord of the Rings, Men in Black and Harry Potter,

It strikes me that this should be exactly what happens to us when we accept that God exists.  Suddenly we realize that there is something big and exciting going on.  Something much bigger and more exciting than we could ever have imagined.  And we can be part of it.

Jesus describes this big and exciting thing in the most extraordinary way.  This is what he prays to his father:

“I do not ask for these (the disciples) only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me…” “…I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me.” (John 17:20-21;23)

Jesus wants those who trust him to be one with each other, and one with him, and one with God the Father.  And this oneness is going to convince the world that the Father sent Jesus!

How do I respond to such an invitation?  For me, there is only one logical response.  I surrender.  I say “OK.  Let’s do things your way.  I want to be part of this incredibly big and exciting thing that you are doing.”  That’s the logical response.  What could I possibly be doing that is more important than being part of what God is doing?

For me, the logical response can be summed up in one very simple prayer.  Just four little words.  “Your will be done.”

If I can pray that prayer, from my heart, in all circumstances, I won’t be going far wrong.

Surrendering to our loving Father is the logical response.  But, of course, the truth is that we often rebel against, or ignore, our loving Father.  Why do we do that?  It’s not logical.  My own conclusion, after thinking about these things for a long time, is that there must be some force opposing our loving Father, and encouraging us to rebel against, or ignore, him.  If you’d like to read more about this, check out the articles in the section “How does the devil attack the church?”.  I suggest you start with the introduction to the section.  Link below.  (Yes, I do believe in the devil and I’m happy to tell you why.)

Being one with God, in practical terms, is all about prayer.  Jesus said that the first and greatest commandment is that we love God with everything we’ve got (Matthew 22.35-37; Mark 12:28-29; Luke 10:25-28; see also Deuteronomy 6:5 and 10:12), and we express that love in prayer.  Being one with God, and loving him with everything we’ve got, aren’t things we can achieve overnight.  It’s a slow process (at least it has been for me).  In truth it is a lifelong process of surrendering to him more and more as we learn to trust him more and more.  What do we do when we feel we are not making progress, or not making progress fast enough?  We pray.  We tell our loving Father that we want to be one with him, and love him more, and that we trust him to make that happen.  And it does happen.

May our loving Father bless us, strengthen us, and hold us safe in his arms.

Jesus is Lord.

Peter O

 

Related Articles

“Taking my feet off the ground.  Learning to trust our heavenly Father.”

“What did Jesus teach about loving God?”

“Loving God, the Good Parent”

“What did Jesus teach about obeying God?”

“What did Jesus teach about Prayer?”

“What did Jesus teach about Prayer? – Part 2”

“How does the devil attack the church? – Introduction.”

 

This post is also available in: