Make Me Willing

Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and make me willing to obey you. Then I will teach your ways to rebels, and they will return to you. [Psalm 51.12-13]

It is one thing for me to be willing to obey God and quite another for God to make me willing to obey Him. But this is exactly what I am experiencing in my journey through the OYB. I am a certifiable idiot when it comes to obedience to God. However, as I have remained faithful and consistent in reading the Bible, discussing it with others, and making real effort at prayer, I have found my will being changed. It has not been an overnight change - but a real and noticeable gradual change. This change is probably not evident to anyone else yet, but the overwhelming reality of it in my own life is already cause for great joy and subsequently has given me opportunity to teach others its ways.

My point is this. Obedience to God may not be the chore we have made it out to be! That statement alone is cause for rejoicing. The fact is, one does not have to "clean up" before getting a bath - nor does a person have to be sinless before being made righteous by God. However, to get that "bath" one must go where the water is! And, the sinner must place himself where the "water" is - the "water of the Word" that is.

By placing ourselves under the spigot of the Word (daily Bible reading), scrubbing (discussing it with others), and finally rinsing (praying - for others and ourselves) - we are matured - grown - strengthened - enlightened - blessed.

I have found my will much more compliant to God not by focusing on compliance in and of itself, but by focusing on the Word. And, doing so with others has been the glue that has made it stick. And furthermore (it gets even better), I have begun to experience the Word embracing me now as opposed to me embracing the Word - the difference is life-changing!

Father, You are amazing. Thank You for Your Word. Thank You for others on this journey with me. Thank You for the opportunities You provide every day to pray openly and unashamedly to You! Thank You for not leaving to only what my own will can attain...