One event sticks out in my mind from when I was 21.

I was sitting at the Willow Creek Leadership Summit and Bill Hybels was talking about church finances and prayer. He said that they get requests form church planters all the time to ask for $25,000 or $50,o00 because Willow’s budget is a multi-million dollar budget. The application goes, “You have so much  money, you won’t even miss it.”

As a young leader, who would eventually plant a church, I can appreciate the request made by these leaders.

Hybels response surprised me though.

He said, “Why would I rob them of the opportunity of desperation?”

Now, it’s easy for someone like Hybels to say that, but when you stop and think about it, desperation is essential in the life of a leader or a person who does great things.

Desperation is the point of deciding, do I believe in this? Do I believe in going back to school? Getting out of debt? Fixing my marriage? Do I believe in starting this church or that company?

Desperation is the crossroads where you either quit or take one more step to your breakthrough.

Right now, where has God brought you to a place of desperation?

That is where he wants you to rely on Him.

This is a great opportunity.

Throughout Scripture and church history, God brought people to a place of desperation so they can rely on Him, rest in Him, trust in Him.