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 Harry Potter, Star Wars, the Matrix, Lord of the Rings, and Men in Black.

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 God the Father is the ultimate power.  Not just the ultimate power in the universe, because the Father is bigger and longer lasting than the universe.  Truly, our loving heavenly Father is the ultimate power.  And our loving Father, the ultimate power, wants to be one with me.

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.

Unfortunately, there is more to it than that.  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 many decades, 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.)

 

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

Jesus is Lord.

Peter O

 

Related Articles

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

“What did Jesus say about obeying God?”

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

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