The Big Picture

​​“…My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me, Yet not as I will, but as you will.” Matthew 26:39 ~CSB

When I made the decision to join the Army it seemed like a great idea at the time.  But when I stepped onto that base at Fort Jackson, so many regretful thoughts ran through my mind.  We got in late, so after feeding us they put us down for a night's rest.  I found myself in a room with 60 or 70 other men I did not know.  Metal bunk beds lined up in rows in an open barracks.  I started thinking, “What have I gotten myself into?” But what kept me going was that my goal was bigger than my fear of the unknown.  I was twenty-five years old, married with two children and at a point in my life where the jobs I was working just didn’t pay the bills and limited the food for my family.  The Army was going to give me a better chance to take care of my family.  Their provision was more important than me wanting to change my mind about my current situation.

I think we all go through a time in our spiritual journey where we come to a point of weakness and fear in our lives that attempt to make us quit.  But we must not forget that God has us on our journey for a reason.  The bigger picture is His will for our lives. 

In the scripture above, Jesus knows exactly what He is about to endure.  The humanity in Him was seeking an alternative path, “Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me.”  But He knew it was not about Him.  In Matthew he prayed the same prayer three times, and you can see in verse 42 that He surrenders to God’s will in His mission, “My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, your will be done.” 
In Luke 22:43 after saying this the scripture says, “Then an angel from heaven appeared to Him strengthening Him.” Jesus knew how and when he would die, but He knew that His death on the cross would cancel our ‘sin debt’.  His resurrection would be for our salvation.  The victory was a blessing worth more than the pain and suffering. This is what we must see, God is bigger than our problems, fears, and pain.  There is a victory in blessings beyond what we are going through.

My time in the United States Army not only allowed me to provide for my family but it opened doors of opportunity for me to have a career and move forward in God’s mission for my life.  As we live in the image of Christ, we must trust in the Father’s will for our lives.  We too must drink the cup that is before us as it will lead to a blessing in victory for the kingdom of God.

​May God bless and keep you covered in His strength, peace, and love on your journey in Jesus name.
Amen

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