God's Willingness to Bring Me Into a Full Relationship With Him

I've been reading a few blogs recently, giving me some food for thought (yes..pun intended!). First I was over Heart Reflections where Shane shared a scripture for feedback and consideration ~ Mark 1:40-45. Her 'reflections' on this scripture were of what it cost Christ to answer our prayers. Another blogger, Karen at Surviving Motherhood commented on the fact that Jesus answered the lepor in this verse with 'I am willing'. You can read all of their comments at the live links above (hover over the blog names and it will give you a link to their blogs).

Then today I was at my friend Paula's blog where she shared her thoughts on how amazing God is and how little we understand how He thinks and acts. All of these thougths came together for me this morning, so here is what I was thinking ~

I now see how God has used the circumstances of my past to grow my faith in Him. Looking back at the things that were painful, I now see that I was being carried in God's hands the entire time, and the pain was me thrashing about trying to get out! If I had just been still and listened to His leading...but then that was part of the lesson wasn't it! Sometimes I wonder what it would be like to have that kind of deep faith and relationship at the very beginning of my walk with Him, or at least have learned at a little faster pace than I have! I guess this is what drives me to want to share what I have learned with anyone that wants to talk...so that others might see God's hand in their lives sooner than I did and not miss out on the joy of a dependent, faith driven, deep relationship with our Father.

Consider this:
Mark 1: 40-42 40 ~A man with leprosy came to him and begged him on his knees, "If you are willing, you can make me clean." 41Filled with compassion, Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. "I am willing," he said. "Be clean!" 42Immediately the leprosy left him and he was cured.
What struck me was the 'If you are willing / I am willing' parts. I marvel at the humility of the man with leprosy that he would acknowledge how Jesus didn't owe him a healing, but could choose to give it to him if it was right. This man seemed to know that Jesus was so wise that if healing him was not the right thing to do at the time, then he was ready to accept that as what was best. And when Jesus said "I am willing"... it spoke so loudly to me. How many times in my life have I asked for healing, helping or rescue and not received it the way I asked for it. I see now that God was not willing because I needed to grow in my faith in Him more than I needed what I was asking for.

This has changed my prayer life recently. I find myself asking, "Lord, if you are willing..." and then I rest in the knowledge that He has the power to do whatever is asked, but will do what is best for me, which is what will draw me closer to Him.

What is God saying to you today?
Tami