PHILIPPIANS 2:12-13 – “Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.”

THEME OF THE DAY: LIFE WILL NOT GO ACCORDING TO OUR PLAN.   There so many lessons God must teach His children for them to walk with Him in obedience and with joy.  Allow me to name a few.

First, without Jesus we can do nothing and this will be a lesson repeated often and that largely by our failures of attempting to live the Christian life and do Christian service in the strength of self.

“I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing” (John 15:5).

A second lesson will be the shedding of our pride which will not be without tremendous struggle for pride doesn’t die easily.

“But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.” (James 4:6, 10).

Thirdly, there will be the daily denying of ourselves for the sake of Christ and His gospel.  And death to self does not come at an easy price.

“And Jesus said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.” (Luke 9:23)

Yet, these three are only a small sample of the good work that God does in us shaping us into the image of the Lord Jesus.

As we approach today’s scripture and theme, another lesson unfolds.  It will be the most difficult of all and the most important.  It will require us to do two things. The first is prayer, and not just any prayer.  It was the prayer of our Lord that quickly must become ours . . .

“And going a little farther Jesus fell on his face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will”” (Matthew 26:39)

The reason why we need this prayer is because life isn’t about us. Life is not about our wills, desires, and goals. Life is not about writing our story. It is about God writing His story through our lives.  Each day, we must pray this prayer because each day we are going to fight the battle of the wills – ours against God’s.  And that leads to the next thing we must do – submit to the truth that our lives will not go according to our wills, desires, and goals.  Without exemption, no child of God directs his or her life as they want. Life will not unfold as we think. Our responsibility is to work out our salvation through obedience to His plan, and that means with no complaining or irritability.  And we can do that when we truly believe that The Father knows best and we welcome His will, not ours, in our lives.

PRAYER: Father, forgive me when I complain or get upset when my plans and desires are not fulfilled.

REFLECTION: Remember our story is not what matters in life.  All of life, even ours, is about God’s story.