Then he withdrew from them a short distance to be alone. Kneeling down, he prayed, “Father, if you are willing, take this cup of agony away from me. But no matter what, your will must be mine.” Jesus called for an angel of glory to strengthen him, and the angel appeared. He prayed even more passionately, like one being sacrificed, until he was in such intense agony of spirit that his sweat became drops of blood, dripping onto the ground. Luke 22:41-44 TPT

I’ve been reflecting on my life and the various things I’ve experienced, the good, the bad and the ugly. It would be so easy to say, this was in no way Gods plan for me. It just doesn’t go along with what my preconceived ideas are of a loving father.

But wait, there’s no one who knew God better than Jesus, His son. He was there in the beginning of creation. We see His reflection throughout the old testament. So why this prayer? Why the struggle? If He knew it from the beginning, why the intense agony in prayer?

I think it’s because His flesh knew the intensity of what He’d have to endure and that’s where the struggle was. That’s why God sent the angel to strengthen Him. Just because it was a part of the redemptive plan, doesn’t mean it was easy.

Joseph didn’t know that those dreams signified God rescuing Israel from famine, but God did. That whole journey was simply placing Joseph in Egypt to learn to interpret dreams so at the right place, in prison no less, he’d have influence with the cup bearer to interpret Pharoahs dream. Positioned for redemption.

So here’s Sandys take on her lifetime of craziness. Since the young age of 12 when my dad died in a freak accident through everything since, God had a plan to use me for His glory because I asked for it.

At the age of 15 when He filled me with His Spirit, I was changed. I began talking to God and actually heard His response. My love for Him grew and became intimate causing me to fully surrender to Him.

When I thought I couldn’t endure another thing, wham! Another plot twist presented itself. I wasn’t patient like Joseph, I didn’t sweat great drops of blood like Jesus. No, I became quiet. I felt discouraged, disappointed, depressed and shaken but not destroyed.

I found myself saying, “I know you’re not done with me yet. You said that those who endure to the end will be saved. So change my focus. Make me sensitive to my surroundings. I can still be light in a dark place. I can still make people laugh and change their focus. Use me for Your purpose not mine.”

Isn’t that what God intended? We lay it all down for the sake of the cross. Parents, spouses, children and friends were never meant to take the place of God in our lives. They’re merely a part of our journey. We’re passing through this life, not to get stuck there, but to be a part of Gods beautiful tapestry.

Moving right along,

Sandy G