Follow Me

They went to a place called Gethsemane, and Jesus said to his disciples, "Sit here while I pray." He took Peter, James and John along with him, and he began to be deeply distressed and troubled. "My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death," he said to them. "Stay here and keep watch." 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." Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. "Simon," he said to Peter, "are you asleep? Could you not keep watch for one hour? Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak." Once more he went away and prayed the same thing. When he came back, he again found them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy. They did not know what to say to him. Returning the third time, he said to them, "Are you still sleeping and resting? Enough! The hour has come. Look, the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Rise! Let us go! Here comes my betrayer!"
Mark 14:32-42 (other references Matthew 26:36-46; Luke 22:39-46)

This is a passage or story that I have heard many times. Most of the time I listen from the point of the disciples. However, recently, I looked at it from Jesus’ point of view and found comfort.

"Abba, Father," he said, "everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will."

How many times have I thought this? And even as I pray it- do I really mean “not my will but yours?”

We see Jesus praying this THREE times. Even though he knew the end of the story, even though he knew God’s plan, even though he knew Heaven more than any one of us could- He still prayed for a ‘plan b’. If there were any other way to accomplish eternal life for us beside what was to come- then that is what Jesus wanted. But there wasn’t, so He went willingly to death, choosing us, suffering for us so that we might live forever with Him, when we receive Him into our hearts.

I find comfort in the truth that Jesus was the only guiltless man, sinless soul and yet He still prayed about following God’s will.

Todd and I were having a discussion recently about life in general and he was challenging me by repeating words to me that I had said (I just hate that!). He said, “Julie, I thought you love being ‘in God’s pocket’”.

And I really, really do. I have learned over the years that not being where God wants me is not fun- to say the least. However, sometimes I struggle to accept and pursue God’s will for me because I see the road ahead fraught with pain, unknowns, and struggle. So, I pray. And I have to admit that many times it takes me a while to say, “not my will, but yours Lord” because I spend the first few days, months, years trying to convince God that my will is probably best. Isn’t that a lark? And yet I know deep down within my soul that God’s will is best for me, even with all the struggles that come. He has promised to be with me.

In the Luke passage it says that an angel came down and strengthened Jesus and ministered to him in the midst of his sorrow. Wow!

Jesus said, "My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death".

Sorrow, prayer, the need to be strengthened and even frustration is acceptable. But at the end of the day, we need to put all of that ‘stuff’ away and follow God. Down the road knowing that even as hard as God’s will is in our lives- He goes before us, He is within us, and He will be there at the end. And we cry out, Abba Father- Daddy be with me, please hold my hand!

It may be a little blasphemous to use John Denver lyrics to show God’s love- but I kept hearing this chorus in my head and thought it appropriate to express what God desires:

Follow me where I go what I do and who I know
Make it part of you to be a part of me
Follow me up and down all the way and all around
Take my hand and say you'll follow me
You see I'd like to share my life with you
And show you things I've seen
Places that I'm going to places where I've been
To have you there beside me and never be alone
And all the time that you're with me
We will be at home
Follow me where I go what I do and who I know
Make it part of you to be a part of me
Follow me up and down all the way
Take my hand and I will (be with) you