Did you ever read something and not only did it stick with you, but so did a song? It happened to me this morning.
I’m preaching his week on Mark 8 so I was doing what I have been asking the folks to do: read Mark 8 during the week. Even though my sermon is all done and ready to go, I read a verse I know I have read countless times before, but this morning it stuck with me…as did a song.
The verse is verse 33. Peter had just confessed that Jesus was the Christ and then when he rebuked Jesus for saying He was going to be crucified, Jesus turned to him and said, “Get behind me, Satan; for you are not setting your mind on God’s purpose, but on man’s.” OUCH
Here comes the song now: “I’ve got my mind set on you” by the late George Harrison of the Beatles. I know…I’m weird. But a fun-loving weird! 🙂 🙂
But much deeper was the realization that what Jesus said to Peter could be said to me. Way too often I have “Bill’s agenda” in mind. Way more than I care to admit my mind and heart are divided. Sadly, I’m often more interested in doing things my way and having them to work out for my betterment, than I am saying, “God, I know You have a purpose for all of this. Help me to just submit to Your purpose(s).”
Proverbs 16:3 says, “Commit your works to the Lord, And your plans will be established. The Lord has made everything for His own purpose…”
“Father, It’s Your purpose and Your agenda I need to submit to.”
Boy, did this speak directly to my heart this morning. My agenda causes nothing but heartache and self-loathing, and yet I continue to push ahead with it.
Romans 7:15, ESV: “For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate.”
That about sums up my struggle as well Jim. Thanks for commenting my friend.
Yes, LORD, Yes!
I’m with you Diane.
I think that is the primary reason frustration can run so high… When things do not go according to “my plan”. Giving God the reigns, the steering wheel, the rudder… takes my desires, my plans, my control out of the mix and allows God to lead. Even then, I must be willing to follow.
Easier said than done most of the time.
You hit the nail on the head Ryan. Least my nail. Giving God the reins ought to be the first thing I do. Sadly, it sometimes is the last thing. And yes, it is easier said than done. If it wasn’t I wouldn’t have so much confusion. Thanks for the comment.
My own agenda is self-defeating. So, why do I still follow it too many times? Thanks for this reminder, Bill, that our ways are not God’s, and we need to depend on Him.
Blessings!
You are right Martha. It is self-defeating. Better to surrender to His.
My own agenda pretty much sucks as well!
I think we can start a club of that!