Jesus taught us to pray “Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”  In heaven there is no free will; God’s will prevails and all inhabitants of Paradise will be peaceful and joyful.  There will be no more tears or pain or suffering.

There is so much pain and suffering in the world today because too often we fail to do God’s holy will.  Every day I read and study the Word of God because I want to understand everything I possibly can about God’s plan for redemption, about His virtues and precepts and about the expections God has for us His people.  I have found it especially helpful to learn God’s Word with the assistance of spiritual guides, so I have read the works of many holy people and I especially like the works of Andrew Murray and Charles Spurgeon. I find they speak very simply and powerfully drawing profound meaning and insights from God’s Word.

God says “Look to me, and be saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is no one else.”  Isaiah 45:2

How much time do you figure you spend looking to God for guidance and assistance?

I spent the first 40 years of my life not owning a Bible and then I heard God say to my heart “Follow me”.  I was afraid that day.  I thought to myself today is the day of judgment and I am in trouble now!  I knew the voice was the voice of Jesus.  The Scripture says “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.”  John 10:27  And I knew it was Jesus speaking so first I asked a little question:  “where are we going?”  To this He repeated “Follow me.”  Then the little lost sheep asked:  “I’m not in the right place?”  He said, “Truly you are not.”  So I said, “Ok I will follow You.”  The voice was not angry, but it was serious and determined and I ran to the store to buy myself a Bible.   I later learned, to my surprise, that the words “Follow me” were the words Jesus spoke to His first apostles as He commissioned them to become “fishers of men”.

I then took some formal Bible studies on Saturday mornings with a kind, generous group of Christians volunteering their time to teach God’s Word.  It was the best decision I ever made.  After this initial preparation I began to study God’s Word with His grace mentored by many, many theologians that had written books.   God continued to gently encourage me to keep discovering more and God introduced me to many suffering people through various volunteer activities. I discovered that it was God’s Will that I try to help as many people as possible and that I could help them by praying for them.  As Jesus continued to help me discover His great love, I realized I needed to share my spiritual conversion story because maybe it would help others discover God’s great love for them.

I felt Jesus urging me to honour Him by meditating on His Passion and so I began to take a daily Walk to Calvary at the time Our Saviour died for us 3pm.  When I started doing this I was working in a global business environment and I scheduled 15 minutes to do this.  Employees were entitled to breaks and I would take a break with God.

I looked at my Saviour dying on the Cross for me and I fell totally in love with my Jesus.  My life would never be the same.  I found the Holy One who would own my heart.  I realized I wanted to give everything to Him.  I wanted to understand His will and I wanted to surrender to Him but I wasn’t sure how.

Then God placed a book in my hands by Andrew Murray called “Absolute Surrender” and in it Andrew explains that it is God that gives us the grace to enable us to surrender and do His Will.

Here’s a little excerpt from this book:

“I am sure there is many a heart that says: “Ah, but that absolute surrender implies so much!” Someone says: “Oh, I have passed through so much trial and suffering, and there is so much of the self-life still remaining. I dare not face entirely giving it up because I know it will cause so much trouble and agony.”

Alas! alas! that God’s children have such thoughts of Him, such cruel thoughts. I come with a message to those who are fearful and anxious. God does not ask you to give the perfect surrender in your strength, or by the power of your will; God is willing to work it in you. Do we not read: “it is God that worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure” (Philippians 2:13)? And that is what we should seek-to go on our faces before God, until our hearts learn to believe that the everlasting God Himself will come in to turn out what is wrong. He will conquer what is evil, and work what is well pleasing in His blessed sight. God Himself will work it in you.”  From the Book:  Absolute Surrender, by Andrew Murray

Meditate on the Passion of Christ and I believe you too will want to surrender everything to Jesus!  Look at Him dying on the Cross for you and just BELIEVE!  Believe in His love!  “There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” John 15:13  Believe that Jesus loves us all so much and if we want to do His Will we need but to ask Him for His grace to help us.  Jesus does not reject a soul that wants to give Him glory.

Let us surrender ourselves to the grace of Our Lord Jesus and ask that He give us the strength and wisdom and courage and understanding that we need to accomplish His Holy Will.  Holy Lord reign in our hearts and use us as Your instruments of peace and love.