Willing Spirit, Weak Flesh

We’ve all been there: caught between what you think is best for you and what you think God is asking you to do. A few millennia ago, there was a man who was in such similar straits. He knew exactly what God wanted him to do.

But this task expected of him was no easy one, and every human instinct in him wanted to do, not necessarily the exact opposite, but something different.

His internal conflict was so great, it caused blood to flow through channels only sweat had previously traversed. His name is Jesus. And He can relate with the dilemma you’re facing. More importantly, He can show you how to handle it.

“Father, if you are willing, take this cup away from me. Yet not my will but yours be done.” Then an Angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him. And in his anguish he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground. 

(Luke 22:42-44, NET)

Jesus would tell you doing God’s will isn’t always the easiest of things, but for the sake of the glory ahead (Hebrews 12:2), you must choose God’s way. God glorified; you victorious; generations to come edified by your example: all reasons for you to follow God’s way and drink from that cup.

He’d tell you to follow God’s way because, even if it doesn’t seem like it for you, it can only end in victory. Things will only ever work for your good if you’re following God’s leading. (Romans 8:37)

He’d tell you to persist in prayer and fellowship because that’s where your strength to do God’s bidding will come. The more anguished Jesus got in that dark hour, the more earnestly He prayed! That’s where faith, encouragement, and boldness will find you. Outside the secret place is satan’s sieve of unbelief waiting to sift those who stray.

He’d tell you there’s nothing wrong with letting God know exactly how you feel, with letting God know what you’d rather do. But after that you must refocus your sight on Him and subject your will to His.

From the major life’s decisions, down to the everyday decision to live a life that pleases God, the willing spirit/weak flesh “battle” would, more often than not, erupt.

The solution to that never-ending conundrum is doing what Jesus did: keeping the big picture before His eyes and staying in the place of fellowship until God’s will became His will.