The Necessity of Abandonment and Acceptance

And He was saying, "Abba! Father! All things are possible for You; remove this cup from Me; yet not what I will, but what You will." Mark 14:36 (New American Standard Bible)

Frances J. Roberts wrote that joy is possessed by “the abandonment of selfish demands and the acceptance of the Father’s will.” Jesus simply stated it this way to His Father, “Not what I will, but what You will.” They are words I desire to speak but have spent the last number of days realizing my own hesitancy at living them. There is no such thing has having it both ways…..my will and His. Unless my will is brought into conformity with His will. For the embracing of God’s will is only possible as I abandon my own.

When I look at the synonyms of abandon and embrace my view is broadened. Abandon has the idea of dumping, deserting, ditching, discarding, disposing of, throwing away, and throwing out. Embracing has the idea of accepting, welcoming, adopting, taking up, supporting, and holding. That is easy to do when my heart and security is not tied to that which I am abandoning. But when I have wrapped myself up in a plan, person, or possession the battle is on! My resistance and hesitancy for relinquishment is a “red flag” that I am in bondage. Bondage of my own choosing. For all the while, God is letting me know that if I would abandon that which I hold on to so tightly, it will be the key that unlocks that in which I have imprisoned myself. Until then there is no peace or joy.

So why the battle? Why if I know in my head that what God offers is better than what I am holding on to, do I still tighten my grip? Fear. Fear that losing what I am holding on to will mean losing a part of myself that I am convinced I cannot live without. Distrust. Distrust that God will be able to do for me all that whatever I am holding on to can do for me. Rebellion. Refusal to walk in obedience to Him. Idolatry. Centering my life in any thing or any one other than God. The list goes on but I will stop there. My point is this, when I refuse to abandon whatever it is I am to abandon, I am reversing Jesus’ words and saying, “Father, not Your will, but my will be done.” I cringe at such arrogant pride.

Yesterday was a day of letting go of some things I was holding on to. While the realization of what was necessary entailed some tears, an ache, and a certain amount of fear, the act itself brought about internal peace and a sense of freedom I have been craving. I have awakened this morning not with a desire to have those things back but rather to experience more of the joy that comes from embracing my Father’s will.

Father, continue to help me loosen my grip on the things of “my will” until I stand with empty hands which are open to receive all that Your will entails. Amen.

I need Thee every hour - Selah
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uIRJNgNSqok&feature=related