Extreme Devotion: Day 33 - Extreme Willingness
Podcast: Extreme Devotion
Host/Author: The Voice of The Martyrs
Episode: Day 33: Extreme Willingness
Release Date: February 2, 2025
Introduction
In Day 33: Extreme Willingness of Extreme Devotion, hosted by The Voice of The Martyrs, listeners are invited to reflect deeply on the nature of true devotion to God. This episode delves into the profound difference between offering our abilities and being available to serve God, emphasizing the heart's willingness over personal talents.
The Story of a Young Girl’s Sacrifice
The episode opens with a heartrending narrative about a young Christian girl from the Philippines. Her unwavering faith and extreme willingness to serve God are showcased through a tragic yet inspiring story.
At the heart of the story is a 10-year-old girl whose father vehemently opposed her decision to follow Christ. Her dedication is symbolized by a white dress purchased by her Christian friends to celebrate her new life in Christ. This dress becomes a poignant symbol of her purity and commitment.
One fateful night, her father, in a drunken rage, assaulted her severely, leaving her injured on the muddy streets. Despite her critical condition, the young girl’s faith remained unshaken. At [05:20], she murmurs, “Please give me my dress. I want to hold it.” Her simple yet profound request underscores her desire to offer her sacrifice to Jesus, even in her suffering.
Her friends, upon finding her, are devastated. They inform her that the dress is ruined but attempt to shield her from further emotional pain, fearing it might break her spirit. However, her steadfast faith prevails. At [12:45], she softly states, “I want to show the dress to Jesus. He was willing to bleed for me. I just want Jesus to know that I was willing to bleed for Him.” Her willingness to endure pain for her faith exemplifies the essence of extreme devotion.
Tragically, shortly after expressing her desire, the young girl passes away. Her story serves as a powerful testament to unwavering faith and the ultimate sacrifice one can make in devotion to God.
Reflection: Abilities vs. Availability in Serving God
Transitioning from the story, the host reflects on a deeper theological principle: the distinction between offering our abilities and being available to God.
Abilities encompass our talents, resources, and specific skills that we can offer in service to God. These might include being talented, resourceful, wealthy, professional, popular, or punctual. However, the host emphasizes that these are primarily about ourselves and our capacities.
In contrast, availability is about surrendering to God's will regardless of our personal abilities. It is an expression of the heart's desire to obey God, irrespective of the cost or the specific form that service may take. This concept is vividly illustrated by the young girl's story, where her availability—to sacrifice even her own life and dignity for Jesus—trumps any particular ability she might possess.
The host suggests that cultivating this desire to be available to God is itself a divine gift. As stated at [22:10], “He gives us the want to the will or desire to be available to Him.” This underscores that true devotion is less about what we can do for God and more about our readiness to align ourselves entirely with His purposes.
Notable Quotes
- Young Girl [05:20]: “Please give me my dress. I want to hold it.”
- Young Girl [12:45]: “I want to show the dress to Jesus. He was willing to bleed for me. I just want Jesus to know that I was willing to bleed for Him.”
- Host [22:10]: “He gives us the want to the will or desire to be available to Him.”
Conclusion
Day 33: Extreme Willingness serves as a profound reminder that true devotion transcends our abilities and resources. It calls listeners to reflect on their own willingness to surrender to God’s will, much like the young girl who chose to offer her life and dignity in unwavering faith. By emphasizing the importance of being available to God, the episode challenges believers to prioritize their heart’s desire to obey Him above all else, fostering a deeper and more authentic relationship with their Creator.
This episode of Extreme Devotion poignantly captures the essence of what it means to be truly devoted to God. Through the tragic yet inspiring story of a young girl's ultimate sacrifice, listeners are encouraged to examine their own levels of willingness and availability in their spiritual journeys.