“Lord, I’m willing for You to work in me however You desire. Whether to heal me now, later, or in heaven, it’s all good to me. I’m so glad I have Your love and peace to bring me through this. I do trust and love You, so whatever Your will is for my life I willingly accept, knowing it will bring glory and honor to Your Holy Name and knowing many will praise You because of the love You have for me. I know that there is a spiritual war going on for me, against the work You and I are going to do. But I will fight and get my strength from You. O, Mighty Lord whom I love, have Your way in me.” -Melissa Camp-
Melissa knew that God was calling her to something big, something amazing. Her focus was on Jesus and preparing for the plan He had for her. “Lord, adjust me, shape me, mend me, restore me, and prepare me in every good work to do Your will, working what is well pleasing in Your sight, through Jesus be glory.” She was excited about God’s plan for her and waited with anticipation for Him to reveal His will.
At 19 Melissa had surgery for an ovarian cyst. She began listening to “If You Want Me To” by Ginny Owens. It resonated with Melissa’s heart and it became her prayer to the Lord. “I’ll go through the valley if you want me to.”
Six months later she was back in an operating room. Melissa had cancer. “Oh, Mom, that is so great. God is going to do amazing things!” God was revealing His will and she was excited! “If one life comes to know Jesus Christ as their Savior because of what I go through, it will all be worth it!”
Jesus repeatedly communicated that He came to do His Father’s will and not His own. Did He want to go through pain, suffering and death? No and neither did Melissa.
In the Garden of Gethsemane Jesus was greatly troubled and prayed for God to take this cup from Him. Nevertheless, not my will but Yours be done.” Scripture tells us that “for the joy that was set before Him, He endured the cross.”
His joy was you and all who would join Him in Heaven because of His sacrifice. Melissa also had supernatural joy in knowing God would use her suffering and even her death if necessary, to give other’s life in His name.
Reflection
Would you respond to devastating news the way Melissa did?
In living a life as a Christ follower how important is it to be surrendered to God’s will?
Jesus says, “Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.”
Scripture
"Now may the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you complete in every good work to do His will, working in you what is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom [be] glory forever and ever. Amen." (Hebrews 13:20-21, NKJV)
"Teach me to do Your will, For You are my God; Your Spirit is good. Lead me in the land of uprightness." (Psalm 143:10, NKJV)
"For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me. "This is the will of the Father who sent Me, that of all He has given Me I should lose nothing but should raise it up at the last day. "And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day." (John 6:38-40, NKJV)
"Coming out, He went to the Mount of Olives, as He was accustomed, and His disciples also followed Him. When He came to the place, He said to them, "Pray that you may not enter into temptation." And He was withdrawn from them about a stone's throw, and He knelt down and prayed, saying, "Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done." Then an angel appeared to Him from heaven, strengthening Him. And being in agony, He prayed more earnestly. Then His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground." (Luke 22:39-44,NKJV)
"Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. "Many will say to Me in that day, 'Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?' "And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!'" (Matthew 7:21-23, NKJV)
