Which are you?

Are you the son who when asked by his Father to do something says ‘no’. Or the son who readily agrees to do what is asked? Now the rest of the story… the first son, for whatever his reason, repents and does what his Father asks. The second son does not (never intended to?). How surprised is the Father by at the results? More important, which is you?

Stop for a moment and honestly assess the number of times the Lord's asked you to do something - what kind of responder are you? This really isn't a comfortable question to answer. While we might try and cling to the '...I wasn't certain that He meant me, it could simply be giving me information" - does that sound as lame to you as it does to me. And how many times have we used that or a variation of it? For me... far more than I'm willing to acknowledge. But... you know what!? I'm trying very hard not to shift the 'blame' or seek a scapegoat for my behavior. I'm getting quite fast at apologizing (sincerely, not the throw away type). Part of my 'speed' is so that the danglies (my word for unresolved and to be resolved words and/or behavior) are not clogging my way.

Quite honestly, I'm trying to not be quick to say 'yes Lord' but not following through. Now a reallllllly difficult question - how many times have you said - not me, not ready, or whatever 'reason' you have for not accepting the opportunity, the assignment offered? I am not going to get sidetracked by which is worse: saying yes and not doing (fill in the blank) or saying 'no', I'm not ready. 

But let's look at the 'not ready'. Do you honestly believe the Lord would ask you to do something you couldn't do? Did He ever say that you'd be doing it alone? Do you know why you don't feel prepared? Do you know what you need in order to accept the assignment? First... if you think the Lord would ask you to do something you could never do - that isn't the Person I know. He never sets us up for failure. Yes, He tests, but the tests are more for us to know what we don't know so we can prepare. And who said you had to do it all by yourself?!!! My experience is that when faced with these kinds of situations, I turn to the Lord and say - 

   "Be my Senior Partner please and help to learn what I need. Not that I'm

    seeking to be a Senior Partner but I need to learn what the Junior Partner

    does." 

It took me some time, but I learned that the song was alllll wrong! I really don't want to do it - my way. I've learned that it is delightful sharing.

The other part of 'not ready' is - what are you doing to be ready? Are you studying, and growing, do you feel you are more equipped today than you were a week ago? Have you asked what you need to learn? Before you think me harsh about all the questions - not intentionally. I've walked that path - really didn't need to, but I did. 

By now you've probably noticed that my focus has not really been on the 'which are you' but on you who say - yes but don't do. We really are talking about picking up our cross and carrying it, following after the Lord. One source said:

   "Following the Lord, particularly Jesus Christ in Christian belief, involves a commitment to align one's life with His teachings and example, seeking His guidance and submitting to His authority. It includes living out His values, transforming one's priorities and actions, and seeking a deeper relationship with God."

Paul said it best:

   "Not that I have already obtained it [this goal of being Christlike] or have already been made perfect, but I actively press on so that I may take hold of that [perfection] for which Christ Jesus took hold of me and made me His own. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider that I have made it my own yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the [heavenly] prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus." [Philippians 3:12-14]

That's following. And I believe that when you say 'yes' to the Lord but quickly follow it by acknowledging your need for Him to be part of the fulfillment of the yes that victory will be yours and growth will be the testament of your learning.