Turning Tides - Spiritual Growth

"For whoever calls on the name of the Lord (in prayer) will be saved. But how will people call on Him in Whom they have not believed? And how will they believe in Him of Whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher (messenger)? And how will they preach unless they are commissioned and sent for that purpose? Just as it is written and forever remains written, 'How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news of good things!' (Isaiah 52:7). But they did not all pay attention to the good news (of salvation); for Isaiah 53:1 says, 'Lord, who has believed our report?' So faith comes from hearing (what is told) and what is heard comes by the (preaching of the) message concerning Christ." ~Romans 10:13-17

—The tide must turn, Father God! We, Your nation of peoples who claim to adore You must become willing! Willing to become sick if it means healing for the lost who are the sick and dying. Willing to become deaf and blind to our selfish desires if it means hearing and sight to those who have been made deaf and blind to Your Truth. Willing to be called guilty of hatred if it means those who have been deceived by hatred become freed by Your love. Willing to be called guilty and deserving of death if it means those dying in their sins might receive eternal life in You, Lord Jesus! 

This will be a scary prayer to pray for most. (I should know!) We are so comfortable doing as we have always done that we strive to hang on to those things that have brought us comfort, but lasting and eternal comfort can be found only in You. We must become willing to let go of all the "things" in which we have placed our trust and comfort and turn back to You, our Protector, Great Physician and Healer, our Daddy!

You have been patient with our lack of spiritual growth long enough. We may not be willing to be all Your heart desires, but we are willing to be willing. You designed us each uniquely and for a unique purpose. It is time for us to get up, dress in the uniform of our calling, and begin to do and to be the one You say we are!

But in order for us to do this, we must know who it is You have named us. Are we servant, teacher, encourager, generous giver, leader, merciful caregiver, (Romans 12) messenger of wisdom, messenger of knowledge and understanding, faith worker, faithful healer, miracle worker, prophet, discerner of doctrinal truths, speaker and interpreter of languages (I Corinthians 12), prayer warrior, mentor; who are we? 

You alone have the answer, so it is You Whom we must ask and keep asking until we know. Make us hungry to know who we are in Christ Jesus and help us remember that You are the Bread of Life and will fill us if we simply ask. It is in the asking that we become. Raise up Your army, oh God, and begin in me. Take my willingness to be willing and nurture it into willingness that becomes doer and I thank You for it. In Jesus' name I ask it, Amen.