Photo: Ben White / Unsplash

As Christians, and those in Christian leadership, we often experience a conflict between “my will be done” and “your will be done.” This is the next poem in a series considering the Lord’s prayer – this time the petition “Your will be done.”

From youth I thought I’d change the world,
(It needs it, we are often told);
For why? A question seldom asked,
For whom? My glory, in times past.

Then Jesus met me: What delight!
The darkness turned to brightest light!
My purpose clear: To make him known,
But had my motivation grown?

As vicar I could fulfil the task,
But there was one thing I did not grasp:
Among the sermons and meetings run
My purpose still “my will be done.”

But Jesus is a patient Lord,
To wait and work he can afford. 
And over time and my failed attempts, 
He changed me till I did relent. 

Still imperfect I face each day - 
But now it’s in a different way. 
His work is me, I am his son,
And my daily prayer: “Your will be done.”