Thy will be done

 If you have been around the church for very many years, you have prayed it many times. You have read it in your Bible. You may have even sung it. It is in the Lord's prayer "Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven." But do we really mean it? Do I really mean it? Do I want God's will, or do I really want my own down deep where no one can see my true desires and wishes?

  If I were honest, I'd have to admit the desire for my own will to be done usually outweighs God's will. No matter how many times I mouth those words and sing "I surrender all", I am actually hoping for what I want, and that God's will look very similar to my will.

  I don't believe I am as bad in this area as I used to be. It is a growing process, and can even be one of a step forward and a couple of steps backward. As life goes on and we face different challenges and obstacles, we often find it more challenging to want God's will in some areas and situations that we haven't faced or dealt with before in life.

You want a wife/husband and 5 kids, but what if it is God's will for you to remain single?

You want to live near your family, but what if it is God's will that you live in another country?

You want candidate A as president, but what if it is God's will for candidate B to be president?

You want to live a long and satisfying life, but what if it is God's will you give your life early in the ultimate sacrifice?

   In spite of what many people think, I believe and have come to accept the fact that it is God's will for me to remain single. It took me a long time to get to that place. I wanted a wife, several kids.....preferable boys to make up for the brothers I wanted and never got (OK, I wanted the kids more than a wife...you can't drop her off at the babysitters!).......but life dealt me the same-sex attraction card.....and though He has brought me far and worked miracles in my life, I just can't see marriage ever happening. Even if I was suddenly attracted to every woman I saw, I know myself very well. Though I have my times of being lonely, and I love spending time with my family, I am a loner. I enjoy solitude, and a wife is 24/7.......and I don't think I could handle that. And so I am OK with being single.

  But there are other areas of my life that I question "why?" and want things to be different than they are....... but am I wanting God's will in those areas, or in just the areas that His will lines up with mine?

  These thoughts have been swirling around in my mind since I first heard a song this week-end titled "Thy Will." It has helped bring home the truth that if I am to truly follow Jesus, it must be His will I desire and follow, and not my own.......no matter where His will leads me.


"Thy Will"
(performed by Hillary Scott & The Scott Family)

I’m so confused
I know I heard You loud and clear
So, I followed through
Somehow I ended up here
I don’t wanna think
I may never understand
That my broken heart is a part of Your plan
When I try to pray
All I’ve got is hurt and these four words

Thy will be done
Thy will be done
Thy will be done

I know You’re good
But this don’t feel good right now
And I know You think
Of things I could never think about
It’s hard to count it all joy
Distracted by the noise
Just trying to make sense
Of all Your promises
Sometimes I gotta stop
Remember that You’re God
And I am not
So

Thy will be done
Thy will be done
Thy will be done
Like a child on my knees all that comes to me is
Thy will be done
Thy will be done
Thy will

I know You see me
I know You hear me, Lord
Your plans are for me
Goodness You have in store
I know You hear me
I know You see me, Lord
Your plans are for me
Goodness You have in store
So

Thy will be done
Thy will be done
Thy will be done
Like a child on my knees all that comes to me is
Thy will be done
Thy will be done
Thy will be done

I know You see me
I know You hear me, Lord