This post is part of a series documenting my journey as I blog through my book.

Reflecting on Jesus' experience in the Garden of Gethsemane, I find a profound example of seeking God’s guidance. In this moment of intense anguish, Jesus models a powerful approach to aligning our will with God's. His Gethsemane experience challenges us to examine our readiness to sacrifice and to fully surrender our desires, ambitions, and lives to God's greater plan.

In Matthew 26:39, we read about Jesus praying, "My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will." This verse captures the essence of Jesus' surrender. Despite the overwhelming dread of what lay ahead, He chose to submit to God's will. This act of surrender wasn't passive resignation but a deliberate, conscious decision to trust in God's plan, even when it meant facing unimaginable suffering.

I realize that seeking God's guidance often requires a similar level of surrender. It means laying down my plans and desires and trusting that God's ways, though sometimes mysterious and challenging, are ultimately for my good and His glory. This is no easy task. It requires faith, humility, and a deep commitment to following Jesus' example.

Jesus' Gethsemane moment also calls us to reflect on how we emulate His selflessness and sacrificial love in our lives. In John 15:13, Jesus tells us, "Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends." Jesus demonstrated the greatest act of love by willingly laying down His life for us. As His followers, we are called to mirror this sacrificial love in our relationships and daily interactions.

This doesn't necessarily mean you will face a literal cross, but it does mean you are called to put others' needs before your own, to forgive, to serve, and to love unconditionally. It means being willing to let go of your agendas and comfort zones to follow God's call, whatever it may be. This kind of love and sacrifice can only be fueled by a deep, abiding relationship with God, rooted in prayer and the Word.

In my journey of seeking God's guidance, I have found it helpful to regularly spend time in prayer, just as Jesus did in Gethsemane. During these times, I pour out my heart to God, laying bare my fears, hopes, and uncertainties. I ask for His wisdom and strength to align my will with His. I also meditate on Scripture, allowing God's truth to penetrate my heart and mind, guiding my thoughts and actions.

Proverbs 3:5-6 has become a cornerstone for me: "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths." This verse reminds me that seeking God's guidance involves trusting Him wholeheartedly, even when I don't understand the path ahead. It means acknowledging Him in every aspect of my life and believing that He will lead me in the right direction.

Jesus' Gethsemane experience is a powerful reminder and challenge for you to seek God's guidance with a surrendered heart. It encourages you to lay down your desires and trust His perfect will. As you follow Jesus' example of selflessness and sacrificial love, you find the strength and courage to navigate life's darkest moments, knowing that God is with you every step of the way.

I explore these thoughts in my new eBook Embracing Gethsemane: Navigating Life’s Darkest Moments. You can purchase the eBook here: https://amzn.to/3IwgFHa

Jim

The Chaplain Writer