The words were piercing and sobering as He said, "Not everyone who saith 'Lord, Lord' shall enter into the kingdom of heaven." The statement caused me to examine my commitment.  Many times I had prayed "Lord, Lord" as I visited the sick, witnessed to the lost, taught my Bible class, comforted the bereaved and expressed my love in many ways.  "O Lord, I want to be right with you.  Are my efforts not enough? Am I not sincere?"

His response seemed to flow like a mighty river of questions.  "Are you using my Name to make a name for yourself? Are you trying to impress people with your own goodness? Do you use my words to shower your own hostility on others? What are the goals of your goodness? What is the meaning of your works? Are you enamored by your own success in being "spiritual," casting out devils and setting people straight?

The questions stopped and after a pause He continued.  "It's the Father's will which makes the difference.  His will that none should perish... His will that you forgive and be forgiven... His will that the hungry be fed, the naked clothed and sick and imprisoned visited and the gospel go forth to the ends of the earth."

I cried, "O Lord, I want your will to be done in me as it is in heaven.  I want to serve you with an attitude which demonstrates your loving spirit toward everyone.  I confess my inadequacies and my awkward feelings toward those who judge me unfairly.  I want nothing more than to be all you are calling me to be and to serve the heavely Father in the spirit of the Father."

I listened, for I needed a word of encouragement.  Quietly it reverberated through my soul, "Well done thou good and faithful servant, enter into the joys of your Lord." A happy sensation overwhelmed me as my struggling soul confessed an authentic faith.  Now I have found the joy in serving Jesus.  It is the Father's Will.