A Willing Heart

How many times have you heard the following come out of a little child’s mouth: "I don’t want to and you can’t make me!"  Young children are notorious for digging their heels in when they don’t want to do something, go somewhere, or take much needed medicine!  It wasn’t their idea in the first place, and frankly it’s a way youngsters show they have decision-making power over the matter at hand (even though they really don’t!!!).  We as parents then calmly explain the advantage of carrying through with our wishes, and most probably the outcome if they don’t – it’s called parenting.

All of this reminds me of the old Life cereal commercial where all the boys sitting around the table have decided they do not like a cereal they’ve never tried, just because it’s good for them.  Then they say, "Let’s get Mikey [to try it], He hates everything." Much to their dismay, Mikey loves the healthy cereal. In their effort to validate their position of resistance, the boys instead make their parent’s point for them.

Before we laugh at such events on TV and in our homes involving children, we as adults to the same thing.  We are resistant to doing some things because it wasn’t our idea, or we don’t see the advantage of fulfilling the request of another.  Our military is based on this premise. Today we have an all-volunteer military. It seems when people want to join instead of being drafted, they tend to have a greater willingness to succeed – a willingness to serve.

The mother of Jesus had this same attitude.  The prophecy was the king of the nation of Israel would come through the tribe of Judah.  Judah, translated from the Hebrew word "yadah" means praise. Therefore, Judah was known as the tribe praise.  Mary found favor with God. Even though she was devout, knew the laws and the prophetic writing, she was mostly available.  She was chosen out of thousands of young women in Judah to give birth to the "Son of the Most High."

When the Archangel Gabriel brought her the news from God that she would give birth to a son, a descendant of David, and will His kingdom will never end, Mary’s response is not that of a child’s – I don’t want to and you can’t make me!!!  Her response was quite the opposite. She tells Gabriel, "I am the Lord’s servant. May your word to me be fulfilled." Mary’s willingness and availability changed the world forever.

What can you do for your city, state, nation, or this world if only you made yourself available?  How can you serve? How can you volunteer? How can you advance the kingdom of God? Mary could not accomplish what she did on her own.  God accomplished it through her, because of her willing heart. God is ready to do some mighty things through you, but He is waiting on your willing heart.  What an easy starting point for us to have! Amen!!