I am grateful for Jesus’ Gethsemane experience. In the moments when things are really tough and I’m not sure if I can make it or just wish there was a different way, I am greeted with the knowledge that Jesus once felt as I do. He knows what it is like to be heavy and full of sorrow:
“Then cometh Jesus with them unto a place called Gethsemane, and saith unto the disciples, Sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder. And he took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be sorrowful and very heavy. Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me” (Matthew 26:36-38 – KJV)
Even in understanding his purpose, Jesus pleaded with the Father for a different way:
“And he went a little farther, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me…” (Matthew 26:39 – KJV)
However, despite the weakness of the flesh, Jesus submitted to the sovereignty of God’s plan in professing and acting upon ‘nevertheless’:
“…nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.” (Matthew 26:39 – KJV)
Jesus’ manner supplies a great example and encouragement in reminding me that through Him, I too can achieve an attitude and heart of nevertheless, not my will, but the perfect, sovereign will of God no matter what the cost, how it feels, or what I deem best. It is at the place of nevertheless where obedience is learned and trust in God is perfected. Though at times things may seem bleak and without meaning, every detail of God’s plan for my life and the lives of others has meaning.
Today, and each day forward, I choose to take on the mind of Christ remembering the example He placed before me. When I don’t understand or can’t quite see how the plan of God is working, I will trust His voice and hold to His promises knowing that all things are working together for my good (Romans 8:28) and His glory.
I don’t know where we would be had Jesus decided not to cloak himself with nevertheless, but I am grateful that I can live a life covered in His precious blood because of it.
Tatianna Aker, Reflections Evinced
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Tatianna,
I really enjoyed your post and visited your blog site and felt welcomed.
I have recently been in that place of learniing a deeper trust even when I don’t see the plan before me to trust He is working for my betterment.
Thanks for sharing
Great to see you here on (in)courage, Tatianna!!
Beautiful, strong post. I love this: “It is at the place of nevertheless where obedience is learned and trust in God is perfected.” I’m praying for constant obedience on my end and thanking Him for His loving grace.
The Garden has always been a favorite passage of scripture for me. It has given me hope and strength when I felt hopeless. You have a wonderful writing voice- Thank you for sharing this 🙂
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Tatianna,
The photograph of the tree appearing on this page was taken by me. (http://500px.com/photo/1937296) You do NOT have my permission to use it and nor did you seek it. You are therefore in breach of my copyright. Moreover, it is against my will for my photographs to be used for any vested interest, including religious. Please remove it immediately, and destroy all copies of it in your possession. Your prompt attention to this matter will avoid the host of tis site being served with a DMCA Take-down notice. Thank you. Regards, Peter Hill.
Hi there Peter,
I’m the community manager for (in)courage. I’d like to express our sincere apologies for using your image in this way. It was certainly an oversight as we try to be very diligent about only using images we have permission to post. We have removed it and will be sure it is deleted from our site.
Please accept my sincere apologies.
Lisa-Jo Baker
(in)courage community manager