Are You Willing?
We’re told to be thankful, but who are we supposed to be thanking?
In my teen years (and even in my twenties), I couldn’t receive a compliment gracefully. When a simple smile and “thank you” would have been appropriate, I could only roll my eyes because I doubted the person’s sincerity. Since then, I’ve gained a bit more confidence (and better manners), and I’m able to respond to a compliment with a pleasant smile and a polite “Thank you.”
Recently, I received several compliments after singing at my parents’ church. I admit I was proud of myself for how politely I accepted peoples’ praises. Yet frankly, I knew my singing was not praiseworthy. I had planned on visiting there to hear my mom sing, but the night before, I felt that God was telling me to sing with her. I questioned him: I am not a singer! If you want me to sing, why didn’t you give me a better voice? Why don’t you just have somebody with a better voice sing? Couldn’t you have at least asked me earlier, so I could have practiced?
As much as I did not want to sing, however, I also didn’t want to miss out on God’s blessing for being obedient. Uncomfortably, I asked my mom if I could sing with her. She was understandably hesitant, but she understood my conviction. We practiced that night, and the following morning I sang with her on stage. Sadly, God did not miraculously give me a melodious voice, but I had peace that I was doing what God had asked me to do. When the song finally ended, I felt as though God had impressed it on my heart to say something:
“Sometimes God asks us to do things we feel ill-prepared to do. For example, me singing today! Just yesterday I felt like God asked me to sing. I am not a singer. I would have hired a voice coach and practiced for a month. But sometimes God asks us to do things we’re uncomfortable doing. We make up excuses such as God, that is not my gifting or God, that is not in my job description and/or God, now is really not a good time. But God isn’t asking us to be able; he’s asking us to be willing. In our willingness, he’s able to use us.”
I was relieved when I could finally put down the mic and go back to my seat. Too many times I have ignored God’s voice, so I was elated that this time I had listened. After the service, several people also complimented me on the words I’d spoken. I politely (and proudly) smiled and said, “Thank you!”
Silently, I congratulated myself for my obedience and etiquette in receiving a compliment. But later I realized something. I was thanking people when I should have been thanking God. After all, he was the one who gave me the courage. He was the one who gave me the words to say. He was the one who gave me a voice to sing. I should not have been thanking people; I should have been thanking God! Even if “Thank you” is the polite response, I think “Praise God!” would have been a humbler (and more accurate!) response. Anything good thing I have done or have originated from God, and he deserves all the praise!
Second Corinthians 3:5 (NIV) says, “Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God.” And Philippians 1:6 (ESV) says, “ I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.”
has sanctification in overdrive thanks to her three young children ages 4, 3, and 1. She and her husband of six years are working out their salvation with fear, trembling, and laughter. In her writing, Audrey preaches to herself and invites others to learn from her mistakes and be pointed to the cross. She can be found under the handle Peanut Butter Waffle Mom at AudreyGuerne.Wordpress.com.
Photograph © Jesse Ramirez, used with permission
