Lord, if you are willing... I am willing too

Daniel 9, 10
Psalm 123
Luke 5

SOAP - Lord, if you are willing... I am willing too

Scripture
Luke 5:12-13, 27-28
12-13 When he saw Jesus, he fell with his face to the ground and begged him, "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!" And immediately the leprosy left him.
27-28 After this, Jesus went out and saw a tax collector by the name of Levi sitting at his tax booth. "Follow me," Jesus said to him, and Levi got up, left everything and followed him.

Observation
I love the scripture about the man with leprosy. I love it that he says to Jesus "you CAN make me clean". He has no doubt. But he also says "Lord, if you are willing". I guess we don't really know what the man with leprosy is thinking, but I picture him being very humbled in the presence of Jesus, and very gracious toward Jesus, even if it turned out he wasn't willing. It seems like he appreciated the chance to be healed and had faith in Jesus power to do it.
I also like all the scripture where Jesus calls someone to follow him and they leave everything and go. There is no hesitation, the Lord called him and he did what the Lord said.

Application
I wish that in my life, my attitude reflected that attitudes of both these men more often. I try to have faith in the Lord, but often the things I worry about show that in reality, I have lots of doubts. And I wish that I always approached Jesus as humble and gracious, saying "Lord, if you are willing". But neither of those attitudes gets me very far if they are not combined with a willingness to accept the answer he gives me. I have to be willing too. Great things have happened in my life when my attitude in life and in prayer shows my faith and my willingness to follow the Lord wherever his will takes me. Usually it's not what I had in mind. But ALWAYS its more amazing than I could have ever imagined. :-)

Prayer
Dear Lord, I believe in your power to heal our broken hearts, our broken spirit. Lord, if you are willing, take from me my selfish desires, my ungrateful spirit and fill me with a gracious and loving spirit. Fill me with a willing spirit anxious to serve you and share your love with all your creation. Thank you Lord, for your love, for your forgiveness, for your strength, for the blessings you give us. Amen.