There comes a time in the darkness where we feel like the darkness is draining all our energy. To those around us who ask us to do things, we struggle to find the energy to serve because nothing we are doing in the darkness seems to have relevance to our own calling, purpose and destiny. Joseph understood this battle as he served Potiphar for the blessing and success of Potiphar. He served in prison to assist the prison master. Nothing Joseph did seemed to have any relevance to his own dreams. The battle to stay focused on the desires of those around us while we are in the darkness is a difficult one.
One of the treasures we must seek in the darkness is the treasure of willingness. It is willingness that will empower us to serve the vision of others. It is willingness that will enable us to lay our own lives and our own desires down for the benefit of others. This willingness is a reflection of love. “This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers.” (1 John 3:16, NIV84) It is also a reflection of humility. “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.” (Philippians 2:3–4, NIV84) Are we able in the darkness to truly love those around us and pursue their agendas and let our own hopes seem to perish?
This then is the treasure of willingness. In the darkness, we willingly choose to value the agenda of others over our own. In the darkness, we willingly value and love the purpose and call of God on the lives of the people around us over our own. In this, there is treasure. “If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the best from the land;” (Isaiah 1:19, NIV84) The word willing speaks to consenting, yielding, desiring and accepting. The word obedient speaks of hearing and obeying. This willingness consents to allowing the agendas of others override our own. This willingness desires that our lives would be given to enable others to succeed. This willingness is not just doing what is required of us, but choosing to embrace the desires of others over our own.
This is the willingness that will trust and rest in God in the season of darkness which Israel chose not to do. “This is what the Sovereign Lord, the Holy One of Israel, says: “In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength, but you would have none of it.” (Isaiah 30:15, NIV84) It is closely related to submission, but again is more than an action, but a desire of the heart. It is used here. “”But my people would not listen to me; Israel would not submit to me. So I gave them over to their stubborn hearts to follow their own devices.” (Psalm 81:11–12, NIV84)
Jesus taught about this willingness. “”What do you think? There was a man who had two sons. He went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work today in the vineyard.’ ” ‘I will not,’ he answered, but later he changed his mind and went. “Then the father went to the other son and said the same thing. He answered, ‘I will, sir,’ but he did not go. “Which of the two did what his father wanted?” “The first,” they answered.” (Matthew 21:28–32, NIV84) Willingness comes from a repentant heart that seeks to honor those above us. It is not only our words, or even our actions, but our hearts desire.
In the Greek, willing means to desire, want, and wish. Jesus demonstrated willingness. “A man with leprosy came and knelt before him and said, “Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.” Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!” Immediately he was cured of his leprosy.” (Matthew 8:2–3, NIV84) The word willing is used to describe desire. We are called to will and desire the best for those around us. “So then, whatever you desire that others would do to and for you, even so do also to and for them, for this is (sums up) the Law and the Prophets.” (Matthew 7:12, AMP)
If we have a call upon our lives and an unfulfilled purpose and destiny, then there is a road of greatness ahead of us. Embracing the willingness and desire to serve others to the point of our own loss is the path to finding our own hopes in God fulfilled. Here we must be willing and desire to be the slave of others. “Not so shall it be among you; but whoever wishes to be great among you must be your servant, And whoever desires to be first among you must be your slave— Just as the Son of Man came not to be waited on but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many [the price paid to set them free].” (Matthew 20:26–28, AMP)
The willingness to love and serve others above ourselves is God working in us. We must embrace this season of darkness and look to how others may grow because we are here. “for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose. Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe” (Philippians 2:13–15, NIV84)
The outcome of willingness combined with our obedience is good. Our hearts will be changed to care and love for others. This is why Joseph was able to lead a nation and David grew strong as a King. This is why Timothy was able to lead a church. “For I have no one like him [no one of so kindred a spirit] who will be so genuinely interested in your welfare and devoted to your interests. For the others all seek [to advance] their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ (the Messiah). But Timothy’s tested worth you know, how as a son with his father he has toiled with me zealously in [serving and helping to advance] the good news (the Gospel). I hope therefore to send him promptly, just as soon as I know how my case is going to turn out.” (Philippians 2:20–23, AMP)
Our willingness is tested, established and proven in our season of darkness and is a treasure of the darkness.
Dark Night of the Soul
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Wow this is so encouraging. Thanks