Spiritual keys are factors for spiritual growth and pathways to maturity. As we use specific spiritual keys in the Kingdom of God, we unlock doors that grant access to a deeper life in Christ and greater possibilities for discipleship. These keys release spiritual qualities that can be cultivated into lifestyles and attitudes. It is as if God's eyes are searching throughout the earth, looking for these qualities in his disciples so they can proceed unto greater growth and maturity. Willingness is one of these keys.
The spiritual key of willingness is an attitude of preparedness and readiness for the opportunity at hand. It can also be described as an eagerness or openness for whatever task is needed to be accomplished. Willingness is an attitude and lifestyle that can be intentionally developed over time and with practice. It is an important quality that Jesus is looking for in his people.
Willingness is an important quality because it is often connected with obedience. Those who are willing are obedient, even if reluctant at first, to do what Jesus asks to be done. Willingness is a sweet aroma unto God, a pleasing gift to the Lord.
But those who are disobedient are often unwilling. They are characterized as focusing on self, filled with excuses, hard-hearted and stubborn, and maintain an unyielding resistance toward God even though they might be "Christians." Unwillingness is focused on self to the point that it is hard to see beyond oneself, to the needs and circumstances of others. This causes us to be clueless of the Holy Spirit's promptings because it is all about me. Unwillingness fosters excuses. It says, "I don't have time" when in reality so much time is spent watching t.v., movies and playing apps that the time for God quickly passes. Unwillingness is further depicted by a hardened heart and stubbornness toward God. These characteristics sometimes reveal themselves through pride and a lack of compassion or mercy. Often, these people have not been broken by God, or rather healed. Finally, unwillingness is exposed by an unyielding resistance that is just beneath the surface. This resistance is closed toward what God desires to do in a situation and shuts down the work of the Holy Spirit. Resistance even causes the person to be fully unaware when the Holy Spirit is active in a given situation. Unwillingness constitutes disobedience toward God.
Yet willingness is cultivated through intentional actions and attitudes such as death to self, orienting a life of living for God, availability and the practice of being inconvenienced. When we die to ourselves, we are allowing God's plans and initiatives to take priority over ours. We are willing to lay down our desires for the desires of God that they may become our desires. And as we orient our lives toward living for God, we naturally develop a willingness and preparedness for what God wants to do in a given situation. Similarly, cultivating an attitude of availability also helps us to be willing. If we live with an attitude of making time for what's important to God, then we are more ready to step out in obedience when the time comes. Lastly, the practice of being inconvenienced involves a willingness to be interrupted by life's circumstances. God often shows up in our lives when we feel inconvenienced. And most of Jesus' ministry happened when he was on the way somewhere and someone would "inconvenience" him to help out in a situation. In the same way, our inconveniences can be sent by God so that we can be Jesus in the situation. These characteristics of willingness are what God searches for in his people.
Mary, the mother of Jesus, is a prime example of willingness (Luke 1:26-38). Mary was living her life, engaged and on her way to be married. But then an angel shows up and tells Mary she will conceive a child. Bewildered, she informs the angel she has never has sexual relations with a man. But the angel, already knowing this, proclaims that the Holy Spirit will come over her and cause her to conceive a child who will be the Son of God, Jesus. Mary's response? "I am the Lord's servant. Let it be with me just as you have said." Wow. Can you imagine this happening to you or the person you are engaged to? This would mess up life plans for sure! But Mary's response is a willingness unto God for what God wants to do. Mary exemplifies death to self, orienting her life to live for God, is available and is willing to be inconvenienced.
Willingness is a spiritual key that opens doors toward spiritual growth and maturity in discipleship. Willing people often develop a deep hunger for God, a desire to be used by God and make great impact for the Kingdom. God's eyes are looking throughout the earth for those who are willing. They may be reluctant at first, but ultimately come around. God is searching for those who can be clay in God's hands, submitted to the potter, obedient. I can guarantee that if we cultivate a lifestyle and attitude of willingness, we will experience so much life and adventure with God that we will never regret saying, "I am the Lord's servant. Let it be done just as you have said."
Jesus, would you give us the grace to be people who are willing. May we be intentional in cultivating and practicing willingness. May our willingness be a fragrant gift that pleases you and opens up a life of Kingdom adventure we otherwise would not have received. Amen.
Blog Series: Spiritual Growth Keys
Spiritual Growth Keys: Openness
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