(Jesus said) ... "Nevertheless, not My will, but Yours, be done." Luke 22:42b

Watch a baby for a little while and you will see they want what they want when they want it.

Sadly, Mekeeda Austin of Bedford in the United Kingdom is not a baby. She is 13 years old. This year as part of her Christmas list, she asked Santa for teen rock star Justin Bieber. Austin also wanted a Blackberry phone, a high-priced set of tennis shoes, and another pop star: Austin Mahone.

While Austin's list is interesting, her letter is frightening.

In her epistle she told Santa he had better produce two of the items or else she would, to put it politely, "do him in." She also promised to make a dinner of Santa's reindeer, if she didn't get her way. Austin's mother commented, "When I first found the letter, I thought it was funny, now I think I'd better get her what she wants."

Yup, just like a baby, Austin wants what she wants when she wants it.

It occurs to me that from God's perspective Austin isn't much worse than the rest of sinful humanity. When the Lord looks down upon our world, He sees many folk who, like her, want what they want when they want it.

This is just one way of pointing out there is a mighty big difference between us and the Savior.

When the disciples asked Jesus to teach them to pray, part of His response included the words: "Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven" (see Matthew 5:5-15). He never said or implied that the prayer should be "My will be done in heaven as it is on earth."

Not only did Jesus teach us to pray as humble petitioners, He also gave us a very real and practical example.

Look at Him as He knelt in the Garden of Gethsemane. He was fully aware He would soon be paying the penalty for sins He did not commit and die a death He did not deserve. While any regular human being might demand God treat Him fairly and deliver Him from such an unjust situation, Jesus continued to pray that the Father's will should be done. No matter what would come, Jesus wanted the Father's will to be done.

His is an example we should follow.

Indeed, God's will should always be foremost in our thoughts. Honoring Jesus for our blood-bought forgiveness and heaven-provided salvation should be at the beginning, middle and end of every petition we bring before Him.

Praying and meaning "Your will be done" is the right and reasonable thing for members of the family of faith to do.

THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, there are times when we would place our desires ahead of Your wisdom. As our loving Father, help us sincerely pray, "Thy will be done." Grant us the spiritual wisdom to acknowledge Your love, even when we don't understand. In the Name of the Savior we pray, "Thy will be done." This we ask in Jesus' Name. Amen.

In Christ I remain His servant and yours,

Today's Bible Readings: Job 5-7    Matthew 8:18-34

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