The first lesson God gives us in training our will is in making us go halfway with him. He first puts us through a series of disciplines to see if we are worthy to make hims team. After this lesson is learned we discover that there are many, many times that God goes all the ways with us. Over and over again he gives us far more than we have any right to ask. We call this “his Grace,” which goes so much farther than “his law” requires that he should go. God’s mercy goes so much farther than mere human justice goes.

And then there are many times when God gives us the opportunity to go all the way with him. He did that with Job. He did it with Abraham. He used it as a school for many of his greatest saints and leaders. One of the great privileges he may give you—if he is preparing for you great leadership—is the opportunity sometime of going all the way with him. One of those who did this was Thomas à Kempis. Hear his profession of faith:

“O Lord, thou knowest what is the better way; let this or that be done as thou wilt please. Give what thou wilt, and how much thou wilt, and when thou wilt. Deal with me as thou knowest, and best pleases thee, and is most for thy honor. Set me where thou wilt, and deal with me in all things as thou wilt. I am in thy hand; turn me round and turn me back again, even as a [potter’s] wheel. Behold I am thy servant, prepared for all things; for I desire not to live unto myself, but unto thee; and Oh that I could do it worthy and perfectly!”

—Glenn Clark, I Lift Up Mine Eyes

Consider what Clark is saying here and then study à Kempis’ prayer. There is great humility demonstrated in both. Do you see it?