Day 1 – Wings of a bird
Although the words “come to me, all who are willing” are not an explicit quote from scripture, they are implicit throughout.
Willingness.
It is one of the main markers of our so-called heroes of faith. True heroes do not set out to be heroes. They become heroes by their small, daily, invisible obediences. It is only in hindsight that we come to see them as heroes. Those who try to be heroes often end up crashing and burning – because Pride comes before the fall (Prov. 16:18).
Willingness and faith are two wings of the same bird. And faith always involves risk.
This week, we’re going to look at just a small handful of men and women who were willing to risk their reputations, livelihoods, and lives for Jesus. We’ll see some who failed, some who had help, some with high risk, and some with comparatively low risk.
Let’s start with Mary, who could arguably be dubbed the Queen of Willing.
“Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” – Luke 1:26
How does this teenage girl, who has just been given this completely outrageous news that will affect every area of her life from this day forward, have the moxie to respond this way?
Was there a super dispensation of faith? Maybe.
I believe it was her daily, lived obedience that prepared her for this great willingness. She knew whose she was and was practiced in obedience. This is the root of Mary’s greatness and why we remember and celebrate her today. And the principle is no different for you and me right now.
INWARD: Father, what do you want me to know?
How would you describe your daily obedience?
OUTWARD: Father, what do you want me to do?
What small obedience can I make today?
