The cry has echoed down through the ages, Christian lips opened in a chorus of simultaneous praise and humble submission.

“Not my will, but Thine, be done.” {Luke 22:42}

Is there any place of greater abandon, of total freedom, of absolute peace?

There are times in my life, and no doubt in yours as well, when plans are made. You draw up a timetable, you make decisions and phone calls, you organize and accommodate. They are good things, beneficial with no innate evil.

And yet the Lord says no.

He comes in that still, small voice. Is there ever a greater delight than to hear Him speak? To know that He is choosing to commune with me? To understand His meticulous care in every moment of my day?

He comes at times moving mountains and governments. It is then one feels so small. The greatness of His grandeur and power! There is no obstacle for the Almighty. He reigns with authority and wisdom, the greatest powers of the world like bits of clay in His hand, fit only to be molded and conformed to His divine delight.

I stand in awe and wonder at His grace and love. My heart fills and overflows with gratitude and peace. There is a horror in knowing He could have let me go. He could have watched as I stumbled and fell, rolling down the proverbial hill of my own will and choice. But He didn’t, because our God is the true God. We are His children and His care over us is always abundantly incalculable—if we will humbly accept it.

Our hearts can be so deceptive. We pray back to the Lord, “thy will be done”, purposely neglecting the first part. We try to strike a deal: mine and thine, dear Lord. We march ahead, determined to make it work, resolved to see it through.

It’s not worth it, dear friend. Not all the money in the world, not all the plans, not all the pain, frustration or reaccommodation necessary is worth the cost of plunging forward without the Lord.

Thy precious will, O conqu’ring Saviour,

Doth now embrace and compass me;

All discords hushed, my peace a river,

My soul, a prisoned bird set free.

Sweet will of God, still fold me closer,

Till I am wholly lost in Thee.

Leila Morris, 1900