Will It!

“We put so much on skill, and not enough on will.”  Michael Irvin

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.  I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.  Isaiah 41:10

Will:  “expressing facts about ability or capacity: a rock so light that it will float on water | your tank will hold about 26 gallons.”  New Oxford American Dictionary

“Je n'ai pas peur des soldats, car ma route m' a été ouverte, et si les soldats viennent, j'ai Dieu, mon Seigneur, qui saura comment libérer la route qui mène à Sieur le Dauphin. C'est pour cela que je fus nais.”  Translated, “I'm not afraid of the soldiers, for my road was opened, and if the soldiers come, I have God, my Lord, who knows how to free the road to the Sieur Dauphin. That's why I was born.”  Those words spoken by Jeanne d'Arc became what is known as her most famous quote which is usually truncated to simply, “I am not afraid...  I was born to do this.”  After decades of war that tore France apart, it took a 17 year old woman with courage, conviction, and will, to turn the tide against the English and Burgundies.  Joan of Arc became a commander of a French army when she was only 17 years old.  Naturally, she was doubted and excluded from meetings with other military leaders.  Nevertheless, she achieved great and undoubted success.  Some claim that she was merely an inspirational leader.  Other scholars site evidence from her opponents that she was a feared and respected military tactician.  But after being shot in the neck with an arrow and continuing to fight, there’s no doubt she was a tough leader.  And after leading a perennially defeated French army to eventually reclaim French authority, there’s no doubt she was an effective leader.  We all will be doubted, and our skills will be questioned, but it’s up to us and our Creator to determine our ability, and our ability is determined by will more than anything.  Remember, it wasn’t oratory skills that gave Helen Keller the ability to inspire so many, and it wasn’t her sharp eyesight that gave her the ability to learn so much by reading books.  No, she was in fact blind and deaf.  It was her will that inspired, encouraged, and for lack of better words, willed her to accomplish what she did.  Then again, maybe it was her inability to hear her nay sayers that gave her the ability to will.  Whatever it is we’re supposed to accomplish in life, there’s a good chance it has less to do with our natural abilities and everything to do with our will.  There are needs in this world to be met.  Will it be you who meets them?  Will it!

Daily Journaling Questions:

1. How did I help someone in kindness today?
2. What did I learn today?
3. What am I thankful for?
4. Who did I love today?
5. What am I dreaming for?
6. What about today do I want to remember forever?
7. What are my goals for tomorrow?

Thanks for reading.

Jake