Lord, Here Am I: A Willing Heart

What comes to mind when you ponder having a willing heart? 🩶

The first thing that comes to my mind when I think about a willing heart is the story of Abraham and Isaac. History tells us that God tested Abraham's faith by telling him to OFFER his only son. God didn't actually want Abraham to kill his only son whom he loved. He wanted to see Abraham's willing heart and faith. Boy did Abraham LIVE that faith.

Let's back up really quick to why I capitalized OFFER up there because it is important. Not all Bible translations use offer here in Genesis 22:2. This causes a few big issues but related to this topic the issue is that translations or versions that don't use OFFER are not giving us the true history nor doing justice to Abraham's faith and willingness of heart. God didn't give a big "SIKE" or "JK" when Abraham got to the place the Lord told him of. God is not a liar. He says what He means and means what He says. Every time. He did not say kill him or sacrifice (which is a completed action). He said OFFER. When we read this in proper context the way God intended it in truth, we see Abrahams willing heart, obedience, and living faith. Abraham knew God would provide no matter what cost.

There is a willingness when we OFFER anything. We are voluntarily saying "here am I"... take mine. My time, my resources, my service.

A willing heart means to be eager and ready to give, serve, and obey. Not out of obligation but from a sincere inner desire. Some say that one must be enthusiastic and joyful in the willingness of heart for it to be truly genuine. I have to admit I don't fully agree with that statement. Now, I do strongly believe that we should give, serve, and obey with a joyful heart and with gladness, but I don't believe that it is a requirement in a genuine willing heart. I mean, do you see Abraham skipping up the mountain with joy and enthusiasm to offer his only son that he waited until he was old in age to have .....ummm no. With what the Bible tells us of Abraham's character, I believe that this weighed heavy on him and was not an easy thing to obey and be faithful over, but he did it anyway because he believed in and loved the Lord with all he had. Even this precious son he was promised.

I am sure you can think of a time when you were called to have a willing heart for the Lord, and it came with some sort of heartache or a little discomfort. A move away from friends or family to be where the Lord needed you, opening your home to host a guest after a long and hectic week, or just giving a piece of your heart and comfort to someone in need on a day you feel like you are barely keeping it together yourself. You voluntarily showed up anyway, didn't you? "Here am I".... take mine.

We cultivate this willing heart by surrendering our own will to God's. We willingly obey and follow Him when we give our life to Him. He saves us from death and gives us eternal life. For me personally that willingness over all comes easy. He forgave me for things I couldn't imagine forgiving myself for so obeying and following Him is the least I can do. Now this doesn't mean I do it all correct every time and always. I still have to humble myself before the Lord constantly and fighting my flesh takes work I promise you that. When I stumble and fall to my flesh in sin, I dust myself off, repent, and pray and work harder to do better day by day. However, once you feel that relief, that peace, that true liberty in Christ, it is a lot easier to say here am I with or out without joy and enthusiasm and know that our Lord and Saviour will provide no matter what.

I believe that the most important key to having a willing heart is to LIVE it just like Abraham did. Even if you aren't feeling all the joy or if it is uncomfortable and a little (or a lot) hard at first. Gird up your loins and say "....Here am I; send me." (Isaiah 6:8 KJV) Take mine.

You will find that the Lord will do some pretty amazing work and provide blessings and sweet relief in areas you didn't even know you needed. Take a look at Genesis 22 and see how the Lord provided for Abraham and Isaac when they stayed faithful and kept a willing heart. While the joy and enthusiasm may not be abundant or quite there in the beginning EVERY time, you will find it in God's love and how He accepts our obedience, and in the blessings for you and others. Those blessings flow during and even after we stay the course to severe, obey, and give. Stay faithful friends and run that race.

To God Be the Glory

Goodies and the Gospel