Can I? May I? – He Said
“…Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven…” – Matthew 6:10
In first grade we had a bathroom in our class. Why, I don’t know. I guess back then kids were navigationally challenged and teachers were afraid we couldn’t be trusted to walk down the hall without getting lost. In fact, David Ashworth once asked to be excused and never returned. I was glad. David was a mean boy.
Anyway, a few weeks into the school year I raised my hand and asked, “Can I go to the bathroom?”
As kids, especially kids in the first grade with fidgety bottoms, we asked to be excused a lot. But Mrs. Swartz said I could, so I got up and headed for the bathroom. I’d almost reached the lavatory sink when she said, “Eddie Jones where do you think you’re going? I didn’t give you permission to get up from your desk. Now sit back down.”
“But you said it was okay.”
“I said no such thing. You asked if you could go to the bathroom. I’m certain you can. I’ve watched you go before. But you may not at this time. Now sit!”
I learned that day there’s a big difference between what I can do and what I may do.
Each morning when I look up at the sky, I begin my devotional time by saying, “Lord, may your kingdom come, may your will be done on earth… and in my life… as it is done in heaven.” I want to remind myself that God is in heaven and I’m on earth―that He is king and I am not. I know there’s a lot of trouble I can get into each day so, before I rush off to work, I want to find out from Him what’s permissible and what’s not.
This prayer also places me in a position of submission before Him. It is here, in the center of God’s will, that I learn to listen, love and obey my Father. Had Adam paid more attention to God’s voice and the details of His instructions, we might not be in the mess we’re in now. But if not Adam, then someone else. Probably someone like David Ashworth.
Speaking of messes, I made one myself that day. By the time Mrs. Swartz finally gave me permission to use the restroom, my bladder was moving faster than my fingers and before I could get my zipper down it was too late.
Don’t you be like me. Don’t wait until it’s too late. Invite Christ into your heart today. Ask God to allow His will to be done in your life. Pray for His kingdom’s provision.
And, if you see David Ashworth wandering the streets of your city, please send him back to Mrs. Swartz’s class. We miss him.
