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Open and Willing

Mark 4:10-11
“But when He was alone, those around Him with the twelve asked Him about the parable. And He said to them, “To you it has been given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God; but to those who are outside, all things come in parables.”
The Lord uses His Word to build relationships with His chosen people. However, not everyone will have the desire to listen to what His word is attempting to portray and as Mark 4:25 says, “To those who listen to my teaching, more understanding will be given. But for those who are not listening, even what little understanding they have will be taken away from them.” The Lord speaks to each of us in different ways but we have to be willing to receive for Him to reveal more. Math class was always my weakest subject in high school and on into college. I remember constantly struggling because I was unwilling to want to learn. Had I approached the subject with an attitude set to succeed instead of having ears unwilling to listen, the opportunity to have a greater understanding would have been an option. Similarly, I have not always had the most eager approach in regards to learning about the Lord. I had a brief understanding of what is was He did for me but I was unwilling to want to learn more because I did not understand the fullness of walking with Him. However, through these past three months of training and intense prayer, the Lord has softened my heart towards Him, giving me an attitude eager to seek and understand who He is and how to form a personal relationship with Him. The Lord can use an open and willing heart, but the moment we tighten the lid, He is unable to penetrate through it until we once again allow Him to. When our hearts are open and willing, the Lord has the ability to speak to us, all while centering us in His perfect will for our life. 

 Application
This week, I will write open and willing on my arm to remind myself to ask the Lord to keep my heart softened towards Him.

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