Don't you wish there were more signs like this as we walk through life?! The question is -- would we listen? Or would we ignore the sign and walk on the unsafe trail anyway? "Who are 'they' to tell me this trail isn't safe?!' or 'They can't tell ME not to walk on this trail!' Why are we so bent on following our own wills, especially in the face of apparent danger or warning?

A Spanish monk, named Carlos Villas, was riding his bicycle in the countryside of India when he came across a snake bobbing and weaving as it stared at a small bird. The bird was mesmerized by the snake. It's like he was being hypnotized by the gentle movements of the snake. Villas waved his arms and ran toward the pair. It was successful -- the snake's stare was broken and the bird broke free of his stupor and flew to safety.

Living under the stare of the snake is part of the human experience -- whether it is perfectionism, working too much, obsession with external appearance, pride, lust, greed, self-hatred or any number of addictive issues. As Gordon MacDonald writes in one of my all-time favorite books, "The Life God Blesses," -- "Who has the power to break the stare of the snake?...the power lies in the sacrificial death of Jesus the Savior...The result? The soul -- life below the waterline -- can be reclaimed, returned to its original purpose: to be a dwelling place for God and a source-point for exceptional living." He goes on to relay the starting point for transformation is when we make a 'root choice' to change direction.

When we are offered a choice -- when someone waves to break the stare of the snake and we wake up from our stupor and realize impending danger. What will we choose? Will we exert our willfulness and demand our own way or will we exercise our will in a willing way driven by desire for freedom and transformation?

This exemplifies the skill we teach in counselling called 'willfulness vs. willingness' -- I know, such clever names these people come up with! It is a skill because it is a choice that we must make when we face the power of our will. Willfulness will always lead to relapse or some form of destructive behaviour. Willfulness insists on its own way. I DO IT MYSELF! (Humorous words from the mouth of a toddler yet destructive for a person recovering from addiction or destructive behaviour). Willingness is the choice to do whatever it takes to choose the wise decision in the moment. Willingness means "I will do what my treatment team is recommending" rather than what I feel like doing. Willingness says, "I will use 'the force' for good and not for evil!"

Willingness in spiritual terms, means that I choose to allow God to dwell in me and make my life exceptional. When Jesus breaks the stare of the snake, I will take flight and live as one who is liberated and set free!