John 18:11
The rebellion of "innocent" little children is amazing to watch. The evil, sinful spirit with which we all are born is quickly made apparent. Doesn't it seem that the first thing babies learn to say is "no?" I laugh at the manipulative tendencies of my kids, but the fact is that it all points to their being born sinners and causes me to already begin praying for their salvation.
Monday morning, Hannah did not want to wear what her mother picked out for her to wear to preschool. She said, "So and so will call me ugly." It concerned us. We wanted to call the teacher and check on kids being so mean to our child that at four years old she was this intimidated. Anyway, her mother gave in and they picked out other clothes to wear.
When I went to pick her up after school, I asked her, "Honey, did so and so call you ugly today?" Do you know what her reply was? "Oh, they don't say that; I just didn't want to wear that outfit." I must admit--I cracked up. The truth remains, however, that my four year old daughter is a manipulative little sinner--just like we all are! We all have the tendency to want our way and to manipulate things to get our way.
In the garden that night, Peter tried to manipulate God's will in order to get his own way. Peter had set his own agenda and this arrest was not part of it. He ended up so confused and disillusioned that he denied Christ.
Jesus sets the example for us. "Shall I not drink the cup that the Father has given me?" In our journey toward Christlikeness, we must admit that we, too, tend to fight and manipulate in order to fulfill our own agenda for ourselves. That's the natural inclination of our heart when things get uncomfortable--turn and burn. When and how do we begin to see things from God's perspective and believe that He is sovereign and the cup we now face is the cup He desires us to drink from so that He might recieve the greatest glory?
What cup is before you this morning? Where has God placed you today that perhaps isn't part of your agenda? Who will be in your path that needs to experience God's love from you, even though that person might not be very loveable? What challenge will be before you that might be an opportunity for God to show off His strength in your weakness, even though you would just as well avoid it at all costs?
Let me urge you today, just as my own heart is challenged, to seek a heavenly, eternal focus on each circumstance you encounter rather than trying to manipulate things to fit your own agenda. Whatever clothes the Father wants you to wear today, put them on and trust Him!
