Just Buy the Donkey

I wonder what it would have been like to have been the owner of the donkey that was used for the Triumphal Entry. Can you imagine?  Here the Lord is about to enter into Jerusalem where He will be mocked, spat on, beaten and hung on the cross. Those closest to Him have been told several times this would transpire but they have not grasped any of it as of yet. And before Jesus arrives at the city gate, He tells two of His disciples to go over to the next village and get the donkey that is tied.

I can’t help but think about the owner. What if the donkey had not even been purchased, nor at the appointed place at the appointed time? Track with me here concerning what leads up to, the unfolding and completion of a significant God moment in a life.  A visitation. His leading usually begins with a whisper. Those of us dull of hearing like myself need to be told several times.  Then, if we are honest, require at least some understanding before we are willing to say “Yes.” 

I think where we get tripped up, is in who or in this case what God chooses to use. Could it be that the undignified, least likely, unqualified, seemingly ridiculous or socially unacceptable messes with our ‘need to conform’ mind set?

I love the surprise element in the way He does what He does. It’s usually the polar opposite of what we are expecting a thing to look like. That’s the awe and wonder of God. He does the miraculous out of the most unthinkable. I think it’s His favorite strategy because if we could think it up it would be to our credit, and God will share His glory with no man.

But our heart is turned toward Him so we step out and buy the donkey. Against all common sense, any real understanding or being all in.  It costs everything perhaps and over time becomes an all-consuming focus, even our very livelihood. We learn to trust more, continue on, business as usual. It becomes our new norm.

Then suddenly, it’s being required.  In Mark 11 The Lord tells His disciples in getting the thing “And if anyone says to you, ‘Why are you doing this’ say “The Lord has need of it.”

There really is no choice when we are the Lords.  If we insist on resisting what He is requiring, or setting up camp in resistance mode , we will die. If we choose to remain, stagnant life ensues.  True relationship with the Father is life giving.  It will mess with us to our core if we have areas we are not willing to let go of. To come into the fullness of His will does in fact challenge the status quo or say it another way, oppose current culture. To me I picture standing on the edge of the highest cliff with arms stretched out wide, positioned to free fall, without harness nor safety gear, yet fully trusting.

What is it He has put in you that He is asking of you right now?  No one else can fulfill what He brought you here to do at this exact moment in time. Such a time as this. Your specific and unique gifts, calling, promises, purpose, plan and destiny deep within you that you long to see the fulfillment of, are only fulfilled through simple obedience and trust. And for the purpose of the lost and dying world around you.  Allow Him to take it, break it, and use it. He has need of it….