A part of my daily life is caring for two adorable canines. Once I retired, our welsh terrier Riley, and Cleo, a mini goldendoodle, became more than pets. They moved into the status of constant companions and comrades in my pursuit in the post career season of my life. It didn’t take me long to realize that they had their own ideas about how we ought to spend our time. Riley begging and pacing for endless walks where he could sniff every blade of grass and Cleo ringing the bells at the back door for “one more lap in our pool!” Not to mention their ever increasing interest in both my breakfast and lunch. As I attempted to set up my new routine, it didn’t take long for me to recognize that I was in a battle of the wills. I had to laugh at myself because I had already been through some of this struggle for control. It was called parenting. I raised 2 lovely, but strong willed children and most who know our family say the ‘fruit did not fall too far from the tree.’ As a child, I was certainly persistent as were my own kids, because we are all born wanting our own way. This includes dogs. I have had to really commit to structure, reward, attention and discipline to try and gain the upper hand of my day, or be pressed constantly by persistent pooches.
When it came time for me to take a look at Matt 6:10 in the Lord’s Prayer in my Lessons from the Closet series, my struggle with Riley and Cleo came to my mind. I had experienced a first hand collision of the wills. You might find my comparison humorous, but I recognized the inner conflict I had with pursuing the will of God. How many times had I prayed, “thy will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven”? Did I even know what this meant? I immediately understood that my concept of this was colored by my own willful desires. This was set against a background of ignorance of failing to understand what God’s kingdom coming and His will being accomplished might look like.
What am I requesting when I pray, “Your kingdom come?” It is about aligning my priorities. The previous statements in the prayer address the personal relation with God our Father, then remind us of the power of His name. Now I come to address what should be important to me. It is not by accident that Christ arranged this manner of prayer. Before I ask or consider other things, I need to be seeking God’s will in all matters. Honoring His coming kingdom reminds I am not just a citizen of earth but of heaven. This statement serves to confess that all is not right in the world I live in. It is out of balance, riddled with conflict and evil. Someone told me when I asked them what their take on this line on the prayer meant, they said they thought it meant “Hurry Back Lord.” I love this. It is good for me to love and appreciate this life here, but I should not lose sight that this is not all there is. His kingdom is far superior to the one I reside in right now.
Next, I had to ask myself, what am I asking for, when I ask for His will to be done here as it is in heaven? How is God’s will done in heaven? For sure I know this; God is perfect, so His will must be done perfectly and expediently. This means without doubt or delay If I pray in this manner. It means the activity of God in my life is welcome and that I want to align all that I am with His timing and methods, not my own.
As a follower of Christ, I have spent a lot of time, read several books, attended conferences on ‘knowing the Will of God for your Life.’ I have also taught bible studies, spoke at conferences and had lots of conversations with others on this subject. If you ask a believer what they would most like to know, they often will reply, “I want to know God’s will for my life.” This is an earnest desire on the hearts of most of the faithful. However, it took me time to realize my approach was off balance. While I was concerned about my life, I wasn’t nearly concerned about seeking how I might fit into the perfect will and activity of God already at work in the world around me. This changed my perspective and took the pressure off me to “figure it all out’.” God has commanded me to obey His will. He is a Loving Father and wants to commune with me. His desire is not that His will would be some endless mystery that I spend all of my productive energies and existence in attempting to solve. He wants me and invites me to know His will. To know God and His character, is to understand His will, and His works. If I would focus on doing everything I already know about God’s will like; loving Him with all of my heart, soul, strength, and mind, loving my neighbor as myself, then I recognize I wouldn’t have the time to pursue this elusive riddle in my own life. After all, why should God tell me more, when I am not pursuing the heart set of ideas and activities He has already told me about in His word? When it came down to the truth, often I was like my dogs, more interested in where the walk might lead or when I might take a leisurely self-indulgent lap in the pool of life. Often, my prayer life was a reflection of my own selfish will and endless list of desires than having kingdom priorities. I came to realize obeying His general will for His people ,already revealed, led me to His specific will in my own life. Who Knew?
It is beneficial for me to pray and meditate on a regular basis, the differences between heaven and earth. Especially today. The big blue marble is sick and struggling. From the inner crust where volcanoes grumble and rebel, to the thousands of its people struggling to survive a pandemic. Do I think there is a cure for Corona virus? Probably, but a vaccine will not cure the immorality, the evil, the political, the widespread tragedies facing all nations. But Heaven… beautiful, free of evil and corruption, a sea of glass with the river of life flowing through it, no conflict, the lion lays down with the lamb. The scriptures say, no more death or sad goodbyes.Only one loving ruler who cannot be lobbied or coerced to an agenda other than love. Christ, the Lord of Lords and King of Kings reigning over all who have put their trust in Him alone.
When I take this perspective, I am praying after the manner in which Jesus taught the disciple, It rearranges my priorities. It calls me to a higher way of thinking and living. It brings hope to my despairing heart that sometimes buys into the thinking that justice will not prevail and that wrong will not be righted. ‘Thy Kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” Even in my life Lord, let it be.
5oclockworker.com 