I recently read this quote that I loved and I wanted to share it with you. It says: “The submission of one’s will is really the only uniquely personal thing we have to place on God’s altar. The many other things we ‘give,’ … are actually the things He has already given or loaned to us. However, when you and I finally submit ourselves, by letting our individual wills be swallowed up in God’s will, then we are really giving something to Him! It is the only possession which is truly ours to give!” (Elder Neal A. Maxwell)
I’ve been thinking about how we can reach a higher level of aligning our will to Gods, and this quote really struck me. It’s so true that everything that we have comes from God…The one and only thing that we can willingly offer or give to God is our will. ❤️ & even though that seems hard to do, because we don’t want to let go of the control of our things. We have to recognize that at some point or another in our lives we are faced with opportunities or challenges that teach us to practice what it means to let go of our will and bring it into alignment or submission to Gods.
Jesus Christ is the perfect example of submitting to the Father’s will. His entire mortal ministry—from His baptism to His suffering in Gethsemane and ultimate sacrifice on the cross—was a testimony of complete obedience, humility, and trust in the Father’s plan. By studying how He aligned His will with God’s, we can learn to do the same in our own lives.
One of the ways we can learn about this, is by the example of how JESUS FOLLOWED THE FATHER’S WILL.
1. He Sought the Father’s Will in All Things.
Jesus never acted alone. He constantly sought His Father’s direction. He declared, “For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me” (John 6:38). His mission was not about personal gain or comfort but about fulfilling God’s divine plan. I believe that we can try to follow Christs example by going to our Father in Heaven more often in prayer and seeking for His direction. That we may trust in Him in ALL THINGS just as Christ did.
2. He Prayed with Sincerity and Submission
In the Garden of Gethsemane, Christ demonstrated the deepest form of submission when He prayed, “Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done” (Luke 22:42). Even when faced with unimaginable suffering, He chose to trust the Father’s wisdom over His own desires.
3. He Acted with Faith, Even When It Was Hard
Jesus didn’t just acknowledge the Father’s will, He acted on it. He healed, taught, served, and ultimately gave His life, knowing that the Father’s plan was perfect. His willingness to endure all things, including rejection, pain, and death, was rooted in His absolute trust in God’s purpose.
4. He Found Strength Through the Spirit
The Savior was never alone in His obedience. He was strengthened by the power of the Holy Ghost. “And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him” (Luke 22:43). Just as He received divine help, we too can be strengthened when we seek to do God’s will.
So, how can we follow the Father’s will?
1. Seek Revelation Daily
Just as Jesus turned to the Father in prayer, we must also seek God’s will through sincere communication. Regular, heartfelt prayer invites personal revelation, and studying the scriptures helps us recognize His voice.
2. Be Willing to Submit, Even When It’s Hard
Sometimes, God’s plan may differ from our own. Like Christ, we must be willing to say, “Not my will, but thine, be done.” This requires humility, faith, and trust that God knows what is best for us.
3. Act on What You Receive
Faith is not just believing…It’s acting. When we receive promptings, follow them, even if they are difficult or unclear. As we move forward with faith, the Lord will guide our steps.
4. Rely on the Strength of the Atonement
Jesus Christ not only set the example…He also made it possible for us to succeed. When we struggle to follow God’s will, we can turn to the enabling power of the Atonement. Through Christ, we can overcome fear, doubt, and weakness, allowing us to press forward with confidence.
When we choose to follow the Father’s will, we find true peace, joy, and purpose. The world may not always understand our choices, and trials may still come, but as we align our will with God’s, we will feel His love and direction in ways we never imagined.
Just as Christ trusted the Father’s plan and was exalted in glory, we too can receive all that the Father has as we faithfully follow Him. As President Russell M. Nelson has taught, “When you know your divine identity and purpose, your life takes on new meaning.”
As we choose give to God the one and only thing that we can truly give to Him, our will. We will see that we will be blessed for placing our trust in our creator and in our Savior! He is our exemplar, the Savior will be ready to help us in our journey of letting go of our “natural man” & in the process of giving our will to Gods. As we practice trusting in Him, we will see that its easier to act on the impressions that we feel. We will be able to feel closer to the Lord, trust His plan, and move forward with faith.
Don’t ever forget that you have a loving God ready to help you. He wants you to trust HIM. He will lead you, strengthen you and bless your life in ways you cannot yet see. I pray that you’ll feel this stronger desire in your life to let go and trust in God more. Enough to be able to say “Thy will, not mine be done.”
Hope that you can make it to class tonight to release stress and to help you strengthen your body mind and spirit. Our meditation will be focused on letting go of the things that are heavier and inviting more light, peace and love into our lives. Hope to see you there!! 🥰❤️
Love,
Lili 🌸
