Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done. (Luke 22:42)

YOU DON’T HAVE TO travel far to find a strong-willed child. Undoubtedly, several strong-willed children are on display today at your neighborhood supermarket or department store. She is the kiddo in a shopping cart who grabs a toy from a shelf or a candy bar from a rack, and then clutches it tightly and screams at the top of her lungs when Mom tells her to put it back. Usually, as a tug-of-war ensues, the kiddo’s screams get louder, her face gets redder, and Mom becomes more agitated, while shoppers glare and shake their heads. The strong-willed boy at the store may be the kid who hates the whole shopping experience. He protests loudly and slams on the brakes as Mom drags him down an aisle. He assumes a limp, nonviolent, seated position on the floor. His head is bowed, and his arms are folded across his chest. Mom is at her wits’ end. Shoppers overhear her say, “I’m going to tell your father on you when he gets home.”

Neither scenario is a pretty sight, but neither is the behavior of a strong-willed child of God. Furthermore, we hurt only ourselves when we hang on to what God wants us to release or refuse to go where He wants us to go.

If we want to be like Jesus, we will submit our will to God’s will in everything.

Focus on at least one biblical command today—and obey it.