“Are you willing?” is the question I ask each of My children.
“Are you willing to walk the difficult road of denying yourself in order to see My promises fulfilled? Are you willing to seek Me even when your heart is not in the battle and you have grown weary of fighting?”
“Are you willing?” are the words I pose to each one who is with Me, so that they, at that moment, are given the opportunity to examine the state of their inner being and then ask themselves the same question, “Am I willing? Am I willing to forego being comfortable and step into the space of adversity so that I might obtain breakthrough and see my prayers answered?”
For when I present this challenge it is always about revelation; to reveal to each of My children the true condition of their heart. But not so that I may know their dispositions, because I have already examined the deepest recesses of their being; so I know how far they are willing to go long before I ask for a response.
When I make inquiries like this it is to open up their own understanding and expose to them the areas they have not surrendered to Me. For buried underneath My probing exists the real reason for the challenge, because it points to the next place within them where growth and maturity need to happen. It is the “willingness” to give up more of themselves that allows the expansion of My presence to dwell within them. For if they will honor My requests and let go of everything they are still clinging to, then this newly opened space gives Me the freedom and room to move about their lives unrestricted. And then, once every barrier has been set aside, nothing can hamper the flow of My purpose.
Unto each of My children’s lives, I have created a plan set in the structure of My will and desires. However, I do not force their compliance with this path because they still maintain free will. So then, it is up to each one to choose if they will walk in accordance with My wishes. For there are times when I will bring up this question and ask again, “Are you willing?”, but this is only when they are at a crucial juncture in their development and a decision needs to be made as to whether or not they want to go any further in our journey. Though they still remain in right standing with Me (for this is not about losing their salvation), each one has the choice to decline continuing on in the maturing process of a child from My kingdom.
For it is in these pivotal moments that keys are offered to unlocking the greater future of their destiny.
Consider the rich young man (Mark 10: 17-31) who, up until the point of meeting My Son, had done as I had asked and lived his life according to My established precepts. But on this occasion when Jesus asked the question, “Are you willing?”, this devoted servant turned away. This, however, doesn’t mean I stopped loving him or he stopped caring about Me. Yet in his heart, My question was too big of an ask. For in the natural, he had much to lose and could not see the greater benefits he would gain if he gave up all that he owned to completely follow after Me.
This story also bears some deeper reflection, for it describes the condition of each of My children. Though they may believe there is nothing left that they have withheld from Me, there are always places along our journey where they will experience this struggle. Then they too will have to determine if they are willing to give up in order to advance.
However, it is not always physical property that I will request they lay down. The test will include something they value, something hard for them to give up. For whether it be giving away something expensive for free, or sacrificing sleep to contend for another, or maybe going without food because I have asked them to fast over a matter, there are going to be moments of internal struggle which cannot be avoided.
Some may try to dampen My voice, hoping to avoid My request altogether, but none can ever hide from Me when I am ready to discuss this question, because eventually they must face Me and give a response.
Therefore, when My approach is inquisitive and I seek an answer, know that it\’s the condition of your heart that concerns Me and, in order to maintain alignment with My Perfect Will, an area that I have noticed within you needs some adjustment. For it’s then that every struggle can be overcome because all internal inhibitors have been set aside.
So even though in the past, when I broached this subject and found you agreeable, and in those previous encounters you stepped up to the challenge, it is in the “now” that I am asking this question again. It is time for you to respond with an answer. “Are you willing?”
“If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the good things of the land.” Isaiah 1:19