"As You Wish!"

In the classic film "The Princess Bride" based on a novel by William Goldman, a young woman found true love in a servant who worked for her.  When she made requests of him he would always answer, "As you wish."  The Grandfather, played by Peter Falk, read this line from his book:  "That day she was amazed to discover that when he was saying 'As you wish," what he meant was, 'I love you.'"  True love is always displayed through action, and Westley showed he loved Buttercup by his faithful service.

Being a hired hand, it may be said Westley did not have a choice whether he obeyed Buttercup or not.  But Westley certainly did have a choice.  It could have cost him his position or had other negative consequences, but Westley had the freedom to choose.  The same can be said for all people concerning belief, trust, and obedience.  God has given every person the freedom to choose who we will serve.  There are ultimately two final choices:  I am free to live according to my will or God's will.  Jesus held forth this truth as He bowed before His Father in heaven in the Garden of Gethsemane.  Luke 22:41-42 reads, "And He was withdrawn from them about a stone's throw, and He knelt down and prayed, ⁴² saying, "Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done."

God does not tell us His wishes - wistful thoughts of a powerless being who is at the mercy of men who claim to serve Him - but He has revealed unto those who trust God His perfect will.  God can accomplish all things without the aid of man, yet He has chosen to use people as His vessels infused with the Holy Spirit.  Jesus laid down the will of His flesh that He might do the will of the Father, and it is the same for us.  In all things we are either doing as we wish or submitting ourselves to do God's will.  It is through obedience to God's will we demonstrate our love for God, even as Westley proclaimed his love for Buttercup through faithful service.  As Jesus said in John 15:10, "If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father's commandments and abide in His love."

Saying and doing as God wills is a way we display our love for God.  May our lives everyday plainly say to Jesus Christ our LORD, "I love you."