lord, if you are willing, you can
I have a really long list these days. And I'm not talking about my grocery list or even my "To-Do" list.
*Side note. I decided yesterday that instead of always saying, "Oh my gosh, I have SO MUCH TO DO" and stressing myself out, I will now say, "I have so many opportunities!" I'll let you know if my plan works to reduce stress.*
The list I'm talking about is the list I carry with me into prayer. Sometimes it's a literal list I've written down – a list of names, circumstances, and needs, and the list is long but never complete. Most of the time, though, it's a mental list. There are so many people I am praying for, so many heart-breaking situations, losses, decisions to be made, physical ailments that need healing. You know the feeling – the list of needs is never-ending. I can easily get overwhelmed by the needs around me (including my own!) and then I think - I'm just one person! And if I'm not careful, I can begin to get all stressed out thinking about how God hears the needs of EVERYONE ON THE DANG PLANET, and then He reminds me that He doesn't get overwhelmed by my list or anyone else’s. Whew. Good thing.
I recently read Matthew 8:1-2 and it’s given me a lot to think about. It's a familiar scene – a man with leprosy asked Jesus to heal him. I'd say that definitely qualifies as approaching Jesus with a needs list, right? It's how he approached Jesus and what he said that stood out to me.
The man with leprosy came and knelt before Jesus.
Hmmm.
How do I approach Jesus with my needs list? Do I start right in, or do I take the time to humble myself before my Savior and King and acknowledge who I'm talking to? Posture is important. It reflects what's in my heart.
While kneeling, the leper said to Jesus, "Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean."
Now that's giving the Lord your needs list with a massive dose of faith, isn't it?
This challenged me. That statement presupposes that Jesus Christ is WELL ABLE. There's nothing He can't do. And that sweet little statement, "if you are willing," causes me to pause and check my heart's motives behind my ask. Can I confidently say that I am asking the Lord to do something that I believe is His will?
As I said, it's really given me a lot to think about.
I know we aren't able to discern the perfect will of God every single time when it comes to our “list.” However, I can't help but think that approaching the Lord with a humble posture and a hefty dose of "I believe you can" faith, will please Him. I believe God smiles when His sons and daughters approach His Son with this kind of posture and faith.
What if we took our needs list to Jesus as the leper did?
A humble posture + faith that says, “Lord, if you are willing, YOU CAN _______.”
Remember, God isn't overwhelmed or exhausted by our list. Bring it on. Just bring it on with some humility and faith. Can't go wrong with that combo.