Willing to Be Willing

You Are Loved God Never Wastes Suffering

Willing to Be Willing

How do you feel after a long day of interacting with people, most of whom want something from you?

Do you find it exhausting?

Personally, I want to get away, spend time alone. Recharge, pray, get my balance. But that doesn’t always happen.

One recent morning during my quiet time, I read Matthew 14 and was struck by how approachable and positive Jesus was in a particular situation. Loosely paraphrased, here’s what I saw: a boatful of weary men sent by Jesus to cross a small, inland sea at night in high wind. They think they’re hallucinating.

Jesus: (Walking on water toward the boat) “Hey guys, I’m here!”

Peter: (In the boat) “If it’s really you, tell me I can come out there too.”

Jesus: “Sure, come on!”

Peter: (Jumps out, walks across the waves) “Cool!” (Suddenly notices the waves.) “Help!”

Jesus: (Saves Peter) “Why didn’t you trust me?”

Things could have gone a lot differently.

Jesus: “I’m here. What’s taking you so long?”

Peter: “If it’s really you, tell me I can come out there too.”

Jesus: “No, you can’t do it. You’ll sink. Maybe another time.”

Peter: “But you’re always saying—”

Jesus: “Hurry up. I’ve got places to go, people to heal.”

Thankfully, Jesus wasn’t too busy to take a minute. Do you think He knew Peter was going to sink? I’m sure He did. But He also knew Peter was willing.

Jesus, too, was willing. He didn’t discourage Peter because He knew what was possible. I think He wanted Peter and the others to know it too.

Peter walked on the water a lot longer than his companions in the boat. He walked on the water a lot longer than I have. Like his friends, I’ve never even tried.

Jesus is willing, but are we? He knows what we can do when we trust Him. He knows what is possible, and He has given us His Holy Spirit to enable us to do what He asks.

What is He asking us to do that we think we can’t?

Get out of the car and lend a hand?

Tell someone else about Him?

Forgive a certain individual?

Tithe?

Lord, please help us be willing to be willing.

A man with leprosy came to Him
and begged Him on his knees,
“Lord, if you are willing,
you can make me clean.”
…”I am willing,” He said.
“Be clean!”
Mark 1:40-42

*This post is adapted from Day Eighty-Three of At My Right Hand – 90 story-devotions for women. The book’s corrected reference for the man with leprosy should be Matthew 8:2-3 or Mark 1:40.