Thousands of parents, including Mark and I, have taught their children to drive.
Our oldest daughter had to wait until she came home for college to begin the learning process, because Taiwan drivers aren’t eligible for a license until age 18.
Talk about a crash course. Thankfully, her one accident didn’t injure much – just the garage.
But over the course of a few months, Hannah did learn to drive. She gave us her attention and a teachable heart and in turn, we (eventually) gave her the keys to the car.
It’s the same with our Father.
When we give Him a teachable heart,
He gradually grants us the keys of the kingdom.
It’s all a matter of the will – His and ours.
“God’s will” can be a little confusing. Maybe the better word is resolve.
As He sees that our resolve matches His resolve,
then we can ask whatever is on our heart and it will be given to us (John 15:7).
“Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart.” (Psalm 37:4).
When we make His determination our own, then we can have whatever we want….because we will want only what He does.
A successful Christian is one that presents a teachable spirit to Him daily, not one that never makes a mistake.
A successful prayer life is one that is willing to hear His best and accept it as best. You can ask for absolutely anything and keep on asking. If it is someting that is also His resolve, He will grant the request (John 14:14). If it’s not, He will open your eyes to see what is.
“If any man is willing to do His will, he shall know…” (John 7:17).
There it is in black and white. You have His rock-solid guarantee.
So how do we know if we are really willing? What if the impulse is just a left-over from our old thought pattern?
1. “The Spirit helps our weakness” (Romans 8:26). You see, the Spirit can see our innermost being and searches our heart to find the places where we have given the “reins” to the Father. He is not only diligent to find the faintest inkling of a submissive heart, He also gives us a lot of benefit of the doubt. As easily as a child can distinguish between an Easter egg and a rock, the Spirit can detect willingness. When He finds it, He rushes in to alert the Father, so that our prayers can be answered (Romans 8:27;1 John 5:14-15).
2. “God is greater than our heart and knows all things” (1 John 3:20). Yes, our heart may still be on automatic condemn-mode. But, as we continue to turn even our feelings over to Him, He will regulate our heart to beat in sync with His. It takes some time to allow our hearts to be assured and persuaded His way (1 John 3:19). He doesn’t have a problem waiting for it. We shouldn’t either.
Are you willing to do His will?
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