The Benefits of an Empty Calendar

The movie "Heavy Weights" featuring Ben Stiller tells the story of a group of adolescent boys who go off to camp for the summer in hopes of making memories, having fun, and losing weight. On "move in day", as two of the boys lug a heavy, oddly shaped chest up the wooden camp stairs to their bunks, one camper asks, "So, are you leaving a girlfriend behind this summer by coming here?" The other camper responds with, "No, I'm kind of open, playing the field this year."

Life has a way of tying us down. While not in response to our relationships, I truly believe with all my heart God wants us to "play the field" when it comes to his aspirations for our lives. So often we long to discover God more intimately-- yet we often times miss his will for our lives because we become tied down. For some of us it's debt. Our inability to budget and live within our means causes us to sacrifice family time for work. The desire God has for you to create life long memories with your children are drown out by just trying to stay afloat financially. For others it may be an unproductive habit. In your heart of hearts you know what God wants you to do, yet you spend your time in other areas. Instead of reading scripture -it's Netflix. Instead of praying - it's sleeping (see Matthew 26:40).

In Luke chapter 17, Jesus heals a group of Lepers who came to him for help and deliverance from disease. In verse 14 the Bible tells us, "As they went they cleansed of their leprosy."

Notice, they experienced an act of God when they moved when God say move.

Luke 17:14 did not say, "As they sat around and played Angry Birds , they were cleansed." No. They were open to obeying Jesus to experience a blessing. They were playing the field and were open minded wanting to experience God over all else.

Imagine if Peter never left his fishing boat to follow Jesus, or if Moses said "no thanks" when God called him to lead Israel out of Egypt. God wants to radically transform your life and flip your script. Are you willing to move when he says move, and go when he says go? Ask yourself today if you're willing to keep an open agenda for God to change your life. You just might be surprised what he decides to put on your calendar.