April 29, 2010, "Able and Willing?"

"Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work."
~ II Timothy 2:21 ~

"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."
~ Philippians 4:13 ~


I organized my food pantry, swept the floor and tossed the 'science projects' that were hidden in corners of the pantry. It is truly mind boggling how the mentality of "I'll do it later" soon accumulates to unrecognizable food. It's disgusting, isn't it?

As I finished the organizing of the food pantry, I decided to take on the refrigerator. **Sigh** I threw a few more 'science projects' into the trash can. I proceeded to pull out the drawers and had difficulty pulling the bottom drawer as I had to angle it to pull it out. In that moment I had a passing thought in which I knew it was going to be almost impossible to place the drawer back on the track.

Successfully however, I cleaned all the dirt and some particles of what was once called 'food' out of the refrigerator. Now you have to realize that the right door to my refrigerator when opened, is perfectly parallel to the wall. Realizing this, I attempted to place the drawer back into the refrigerator, I tried to angle it to go back in, yet there was no way that it was going to be able to get back on the track. I started sweating, getting mad and frustrated. At this point, I was tempted to let the drawer just freely sit at the bottom of the refrigerator. This is when I heard a voice within me say, "Teresa, is there a way to do this correctly?" I said, "Yes". "Teresa, are you willing to do it correctly?" I said, "No". Haahaa! That's when I saw that it was more than possible, if I pulled the refrigerator out from the wall. But I wasn't willing. I asked myself, "Teresa, why aren't you willing?" I answered, "Because I just want to be done with this. I know I'm going to find a nasty mess underneath the refrigerator and I'm going to have to get it cleaned up." At this point, I heard, "Look how frustrated you are. There is a solution, but because of your unwillingness, you will remain not only frustrated but doing this half way." The conversation I was having within myself was truly highlighting laziness on my part. In the process, there was a teaching lesson that the Holy Spirit was walking me through. Long story short...I pulled the refrigerator out so that the door could swing wider which allowed the drawer to slip right in. I swept and mopped behind the refrigerator and at that moment, I was able to see what could be accomplished when I was willing to go beyond the surface.

Through this scenario I am reminded that there are things in my life that God wants to deliver me from, clean out and replace that which He has already provided within me. Placing that drawer back the right way was temporarily uncomfortable, yet the assignment was accomplished even beyond what I had imagined. Not only was the bottom of the refrigerator cleaned out, but the drawer fit well and the floor and wall were cleaned as well.

Moment by moment when we are clinging to the King, there is truly a willingness to get those things accomplished no matter what has to be done. Am I able and am I willing are two different things...I must simply ask, "Am I willing to do that which I am able to do through the strength of our King and Lord Jesus Christ?"

I praise our God that in the midst of this reminder, I am reminded that He is not only able, but thankfully, He is also Willing!

Comments

  1. Very good analogy...I can relate to it well, believe me....

    ReplyDelete
  2. Celina said...
    Great devotion today. I can definitely relate!

    ReplyDelete

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