WF Pride

WF Pride: Willingness and Desire to Sacrifice and Serve

Chad Cottingham

I don’t know about your kids, but mine are not very eager or willing when it comes to doing simple chores or work around the house. It seems like Kristen and I have to threaten taking away their phones, or just get angry and raise our voices to get them to do anything. No don’t get me wrong, they are great kids. But, like most teenagers, they struggle in the area of house work and chores – or should I say doing them without being asked.

Let me give you a quick example. My two boys share a room in the basement. They know that after a shower, or dip in the hot tub, they need to bring their towels upstairs to dry. I put a hook on the wall for the towels to hang so they don’t just sit on the floor and turn into a mold and mildew infested Petri dish. When my wife recently ventured into the basement, she about blew a gasket, and I don’t blame her. There were literally about 25 towels on the floor; they were wet, damp and smelly – that bad mix of wet towel, basement and teenage boy – Yuck! I just stayed upstairs and let her handle it – I’ve learned when to intervene and when not to, and this was a time to let the boys ‘have’ it! I’m sure they were a lot more willing to follow our expectations after this episode. Or at least for a little while.

I think we often overlook the word ‘willingness’ when we think about sacrifice and service. Let’s take a quick look at the definition of Willingness: 1-favourably disposed or inclined; ready. 2 – Cheerfully or eagerly compliant. 3 – Done, given, accepted, etc… freely or voluntarily. When we are at home doing chores, at work, volunteering at church, or helping a friend, are we doing it willingly and with a cheerful heart? If our motives and intent are in the wrong place it shines through loud and clear – to those we are with, and to God.

Whatever we are doing, God is looking at our hearts. 2 Corinthians 9:7 You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. “For God loves a person who gives cheerfully” ~NLT. When you give of your time, talent, or treasure, are you doing it with a cheerful and willing heart? Or are you reluctant and hesitant?

“Dear Lord, help us become willing servants here on earth. Open our eyes and ears to give freely of our time, our talents and our treasures to help others. Help us to sacrifice and serve with cheerful hearts. It’s in the name of Jesus Christ I pray, Amen.”