Willingness

In our minds, we can say we are willing, but when it comes down to it, is your heart willing?

There is a parable about a rich young ruler coming to Jesus saying, “I have followed every law. What else do I need to do to follow you?” And Jesus says, “Give up all you have and follow me.” The young ruler was heartbroken; he couldn’t and didn’t want to give up all he had. This is being willing but not fully willing.

I was reading Joshua 2 and came across an unlikely willing person: Rahab — a prostitute.

As the two spies from Israel come into her house to hide from the king of Jericho, she tells the men (spies) that all the people of Jericho are so fearful they are melting in their fear. At this point, she has already decided that she is going to join the Israelites because she recognizes they serve the One True God, and she wanted too as well.

This is interesting… she just decides, and that was it. From that point on, her heart and mind were changed. She was no longer Rahab the prostitute; she is now Rahab, a child of God. God saw her, and He immediately used her.

There was no way the spies of Israel would have ever ended up at her house if God had not directed them to her. She believed and became fully willing. She was a vessel to the Lord. She had faith and jumped into action.

There are many stories like this in the Bible. There’s Moses, Joseph, Daniel, David, Ruth, the disciples, Paul. The list is long.

Willingness… We can find ourselves in situations where we have to decide if we are willing.

Has there been a choice like that for you?

My husband had that choice.

He was working in the auto industry as a general manager, a job the Lord provided, mind you, yet there came a time for change. The Lord was working on my husband and preparing him to move into ministry work. We didn’t know what that meant, other than leaving a high-paying job for something where we would struggle for a bit. But we didn’t care. If the Lord said it, then we have to be obedient. So, my husband and I decided to be willing.

The transition was good because we knew the Lord called us to it, but it was hard because we now found ourselves in financial strain. But we had to keep our focus and willingness strong. There were constant reminders that we would have to speak over and over, like, “The Lord is our provider.” God has a plan.” “He called us to this, and all will work out as it should.”

When I think of Rahab, I’m sure she had the same thoughts. She was willing, but at the same time, she had to believe that God would take care of her and believe what the spies said about protecting her and her family would be true.

The willingness to go and do can sometimes be the easiest part. It’s the continual willingness and trust, as we are waiting, that can be the hardest.

We were in a waiting period for a few months before the Lord opened the door to the ministry, He was sending my husband too. It was because of our faith and willingness that we never lost sight of God’s goodness.

If you are willing, keep your heart postured toward the Lord. Let Him fill every anxious and uncertain part with His strength and understanding. Don’t let the waiting and distractions pull you from what God has called you to.

As Jesus was praying in Gethsemane before He was taken to be crucified, He said these words to the disciples: “Keep watch and pray, so that you will not give in to temptation. For the spirit is willing, but the body is weak!” — Matthew 26:41

There is willingness, and there is willingness. There is believing, and there is believing. There is trust, and there is trust.

We can have all these things, but to truly, wholeheartedly be willing, believing, and trusting in what God has for us is calling us to sacrifice — to sacrifice what we think we know and understand so that we can really follow God completely and know that He is the way, the truth, and the life.

Willingness = Faith + Action — trusting the Lord, knowing that His promises and words are true. Therefore, our willingness is the action we take in being obedient.

Where is your willingness? Are you willing?