The Follow Through
He went a little farther and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, “O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will.”
Matthew 26:39
Some years back, I started training for a 5K run. I was really excited about it. I received my 5K t-shirt and started thinking about getting one of those fancy numbers that the runners pin to themselves to be identified. I went to the training sessions, and followed the work out plans. In the beginning, I was “killing it”, and on top of my "A" Game. Unfortunately, as the days and weeks went by, I slowly started to fall off. Eventually, I stop training and didn't make it to the actual run.
When I ventured out to do this 5K, it wasn't because I wanted to prove anything to anyone. It wasn't because I was trying to mark off a "thing to do" on a bucket list. I wanted to do the 5K because I wanted to set out and do something great that I had never done before. Granted, though I’ve done a lot of running and physical training while in the military, this was something new. It was my attempt at personal growth. At least that was my intent.
Have you ever set out to do something different from your norm? Did you question it and possibly sweep it under the rug after a while? Have you ever started something God placed in your heart to do but never completed it? Do you find yourself occasionally thinking, "what if"? More than likely this has been an experience for us all. If not, keep living and the time will come. Let's take that thought to another level. What if that great idea or thing that was out of the norm, was the answer to someone's problem or need. Now, I am aware that me running a 5K run was more so for my well-being, and it may not have been beneficial for someone else. But could it have been...? Maybe there was someone that I was supposed to meet along the journey that needed to hear that God loves them. There may have been someone that needed what only I could provide. Maybe my faith and level of endurance needed to be elevated. Maybe I could have been an example for someone. I used these examples to show how the lack of commitment and follow through can possibly hinder what God wants for you and/or others.
Let's take it one step further and bring this picture into a tighter perspective. What if Jesus didn't follow through with His mission. In the Garden of Gethsemane Jesus prayed three times for the Father to take the cup from him, but on all three occasions he would follow up with, "not as I will, but as You will.” {Matthew 26:36-56). He knew what the outcome was going to be, but He was committed to the will of the Father. The scripture said that Jesus was sorrowful and very heavy (KJV), troubled (NIV), filled with anguish and distressed (NLT), in agonizing sorrow (MSG), all to the point of death//Matthew 26:37-38. Yet he stuck to the plan because there was a greater purpose at hand. He followed through because He loved the Father and He loved us.
In the beginning, we may never know why we will develop the desire to do certain things. We may never know why we all of a sudden think about great ideas regarding something we wouldn’t have thought of before. In those times look to God for instruction. We must redirect our agenda from only reaching goals and checking items from our list of "to do’s”. We must seek out the greater purpose. Be committed to the task, it's all in the follow through. When bringing all of these things in alignment with His will, we will see the power of God change things; in our lives, and in the lives of others.
Prayer
Heavenly Father give me spiritual discernment and wisdom when comes to the things of you and help me push beyond my own agenda. Sometimes I fail to see and follow through with what you have willed for my life. By your spirit, I pray that you will help me abandon my perception and bring my thoughts into agreement with your will. Give me the strength to follow through. Never the less, not my will but your will. In Jesus name, Amen.
