“[A]nd grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.” — Psalm 51:12b

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Are you willing to stay the extra hour to get up more shots? Are you willing to get up early to get in the weight room? Are you willing to attend the clinic? Are you willing to study more film?

Personally, when I hear the word “willing,” sacrifice immediately comes to my mind. I have asked family and friends if they would be willing to help me move, or if they would be willing to give me a ride to the airport (shoutout to my younger brother, who’s always getting me to the airport by 5 a.m.). Their willingness always involves sacrifice. In most cases, they are sacrificing their time to assist or help me out.

As believers, God wants our willingness. He can work with our willingness. I’m learning that He wants us to be willing in certain key areas:

First, am I willing to follow Christ? I loved the game “follow the leader” when I was a kid. My brothers and neighborhood friends would play on our bikes. Everyone, including myself, loved being the leader. The follower … not so much. There was something about being in control rather than having to follow the instructions. Jesus instructs Peter and Andrew in Matthew 4;19, “Come, follow me.” I love their response: “At once they left their nets and followed him” (v. 20). Jesus continues with the same invitation to another set of brothers, James and John. He called to them, “and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him” (v. 22). I admire their willingness to immediately follow Christ.

Secondly, am I willing to live for Christ? He died for us; we should be willing to live for Him. So what does living for Christ look like? I believe it’s loving God and loving others. I believe it’s serving God and serving others. It’s being real and authentic with Him and others. Living for Christ is realizing our identity is in Him. Rather than seeking the approval of man, we seek God’s approval.

It’s realizing that being a Christian is a relationship, not a religion or a set of rules. It’s not a duty but rather a devotion. We change our “have to” into our “get to.” When we live for Christ, we get to serve, get to attend church, get to give, get to pray, get to read the Bible. Not have to. We align our hearts and minds with the mind of Christ, becoming more and more like Him. As John 15:5 states, “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”

Finally, am I willing to serve Christ? Serving is about others. Serving is wearing the apron instead of the bib. The bib is all about me, while the apron is all about others. Serving is walking into a room saying “there you are” rather than “here I am.”

Mark 10:45 says, “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Jesus Christ came to this earth to serve others and ultimately sacrifice His own life for you and for me. Are we willing to serve and sacrifice for Him? My prayer is that we can answer with a confident “yes!” My caution would be to make sure we are serving with a pure heart — serving to give rather than serving to get.

I challenge and encourage you to be willing. Over the past few years, I’ve had to ask myself: Am I willing to get uncomfortable? Am I willing to do hard things? Am I willing to make sacrifices? Am I willing to let go? Am I willing to make Him No. 1? Am I willing to forgive them? Am I willing to love them? Am I willing to try something new?

As I reflect on Scripture, I’m reminded how Peter was willing to get out of the boat. Abraham was willing to leave his home and sacrifice his own son. Abel was willing to give God his very best as a sacrifice. Noah was willing to trust God and build the ark. Moses was willing to confront Pharaoh and lead the Israelites out of Egypt. Joshua was willing to obey God and become Israel’s new leader. David was willing to face his fear and fight the giant. Solomon was willing to build the temple. Paul was willing to travel and share the Good News of Jesus Christ. Jesus was willing to die on the cross.

What is God calling me, calling you, calling us to be willing to do? Are you willing?

Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, my desire is to have a willing spirit and heart. I say “yes” to You today and forever. Amen!

— Jim Good

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