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“We are giving away a free cruise to Jamaica! Is there anyone willing to test a new Diet Coke for it?” The line starts immediately and fills to capacity.
“We are giving away a chance to stand in a firing squad! All you have to do is stand still and wear a blindfold. Is there anyone willing to sign up? Anyone, Anyone?” There is no line forming, no volunteers. …“Humm, I wonder why no one is willing to try that.” It’s always the prize at the other end that entices us to go forward and do the required deed.
Many things motivate us to be willing: Love, duty, compassion, reward, integrity, satisfaction, or the greatest motivator, money. A whole list can be made about what drives us and compels us to be willing.
I would be willing to jump in front of a car to save my grandchild. I don’t want to die, but the desire for him to live inspires me to be willing to do anything it takes to save him from harm. In the same sense of devotion, I would do just about anything to see a smile from his beautiful face. I will sing silly songs, make goofy faces or spend lots of money…love makes me willing.
I remember one time my dad coming home covered in soot. I could see the fear in his eyes as he told the story of coming across a group of people on his way home from work. They were standing at the top of an embankment next to a bridge. A car had gone down the hill, turned upside down and was on fire. He hurried over, ran down to the car and yelled for anyone inside to answer. A faint voice of a trapped man called back, crying for help. My dad begged others to help him, but no one was willing to assist, for fear of the car exploding. With compassion for the strangers life, my dad single handedly pulled the injured man from the burning car. He was willing to risk everything to save another human being.
I’ve watched people on television shows eat live bugs, jump from moving cars, and even allow snakes to crawl all over their bodies just to have a chance at winning a large sum of money. People are willing to do crazy things for money. Some will even kill for it.
It is baffling to me how a middle aged man would risk a lifetime of building a home and family only to lose it for a short skirt at the office. Willing to risk losing the trust of his children and a mate that would stand by him through sickness and death for a few moments of lustful pleasure.
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On the other hand, some people will never understand how a Christian is willing to give up Saturdays to knock on doors to invite people to church. Or to give up sleeping late on Sundays to worship God. They perceive us to be crazy or foolish when we pray for healing or divine intervention in our lives.
For me, the willing part is not so hard to understand. It‘s the motivation that is so amazing. Everything from sinister intentions to an undying, sacrificial love. The pendulum swings both ways.
I’m so thankful that Jesus was willing. Willing to come, to love, to give and even to die. He was willing to set the path for us to follow. He was willing to be tortured, tormented and taunted for our healing. He was willing to die a shameful, horrible death for our salvation. What drove him? The greatest motivation of all; LOVE. God help me to be willing to do the same. Teach me to LOVE enough to be willing to LIVE for you, the way you were willing to DIE for me.
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