Written by: Brad Williams
For if there is first a willing mind, it is accepted according to what one has, and not according to what he does not have (2 Corinthians 8:12).
It’s so easy for us to look at the things that we do not have. We are all too good at convincing ourselves that we can’t make it or that we can’t succeed. Many times, we are defeated before we even start because of this perspective. However, Paul tells us that it doesn’t matter if we don’t know the why’s, the what’s, or the how’s.
When you come to the Lord, He’s not expecting you to have all the answers. If you’re depressed or frustrated, it doesn’t matter if you don’t know why you feel the way you do. It doesn’t matter if you don’t know when it all started. In fact, it doesn’t even matter if you can’t put a name or description on what you are feeling or going through right now.
God is only interested in whether or not you are willing to change, because then it gives Him something to build on and to mold into something beautiful for His glory. God can redeem any and every part of your life if you let Him. In order for God to give to you though, you need to be willing.
The Miracle Equation
Besides Christ’s glorious resurrection from the dead, there is only one other miracle that appears in all four gospels – the miracle feeding of over 5,000 people. In the sixth chapter of John, we are introduced to a young boy who has with him only five small barley loaves and a couple of fish. Nonetheless, he gives up his lunch for the crowd of hungry people. He had no idea how it was going to help, but he was willing to trust the Lord.
As Jesus received the food and the young boy’s willingness to give it, He gave thanks, broke the bread, and multiplied the fish and loaves to give the people beyond their fill. For He is “able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us” (Ephesians 3:20).
The reason why Jesus was able to feed the thousands of people was because of one person’s willingness. When this young boy gave his small portion, Jesus not only received it, but gave thanks for it. When we give our willingness to God, He receives it with thanks. He now has something to work with to redeem every part of our lives where we are willing to change and grow.
It’s the enemy of our soul who wants us to look at our problems and dwell on why we don’t have all the answers. God already has our answer! He is trying to bring it to us this very moment. But first, He needs us to have a willing mind to move out of our comfort zone, which has kept us in a holding pattern for too long.
Proverbs 3:5-6 tells us to trust in the Lord so He can direct our paths. God knows exactly where we are, but He needs us to ask for help. He needs us to be willing. God gives to us when we ask, because of the power that works in us. That power is faith. When our willingness combines with faith, we will ask. God will direct our paths to lead us to Him where there is fullness of joy.
The reason why God works in our lives, even when we don’t deserve it, is because of His grace or unmerited favor. “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that is not of yourselves; it is the gift of God” (Ephesians 2:8). We don’t deserve God’s favor, but He gives it to us anyway if we are willing to receive it.
If there were 100 steps to God, we would need only to take the first one and God would take the remaining 99 to come to us. That’s grace in action!
God begins by gently tugging on our hearts to let us know He is waiting for us to bring our deepest needs to Him. If we don’t give in to worry, fear, or doubt, we respond by acknowledging our need for God’s grace. This willingness is an invitation for the Lord to come to us and give us what we need and more.
A Picture of God’s Grace
As we take a look at the prodigal son in Luke 15, we see a picture of God’s grace. Convicted of his sin, the wayward son repented of his lifestyle and realized he must return home and beg for mercy from his father. Thus, he took his first step. In verse 20, we see how the father received his son, “But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him.”
We don’t need to get all cleaned up and fixed before we come to God. We need only to be willing to change. When we step toward God, He will run to us! God stands ready and awaits our return.
God may be knocking on the door of your heart right now. He is looking for your willingness. He stands poised to bring you to a place where your greatest needs and dreams can be achieved. God loves you with a greater love than anyone can comprehend. If you have never invited Him to live on the inside of you, here is your chance.
In Romans 10:9, we see “That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” If you are willing to experience this change that will break the bondage of worry, doubt, confusion, anger, bitterness, and anything else that holds you back, then give God a chance to change your life.
God is ready. Are you?
An Invitation Prayer
Lord Jesus, come into my heart. Thank You that You died for my sins. I believe that God raised You from the dead to give me a new life. I receive that life now. Thank You that You have forgiven me and that You will restore me and heal me from the bondage of my past. Thank You for my new life in You. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.