I’ve got an interesting bit of advice for you today: don’t wait until you’re ready.
True, there is a certain sequence that is important to honor God and prepare for what’s coming. But you don’t want to put a hold on life while you wait for feelings to dictate that you’re prepared for what’s next.
Let’s look at this idea together.
God’s Order
Childhood, teenage years, school graduation, adulthood, marriage, children, etc. Life has an important sequence of events and when we follow God’s order, He blesses our path. Marriage before children, living respectfully under our God-given authority, growing towards what is next, it all works together towards our life story.
When we get things out of God’s order things get complicated quickly. Life can be a lot at times, but it’s even more of a conundrum when we get things out of order. God’s Word makes the path clear – children are to be trained and raised in a way that helps them learn how to bring glory to God, honor their parents, and love others. As they grow, their relationships must be cautiously monitored to make sure that they strengthen and don’t undermine what they are being taught.
As they come of marrying age, it is important that they realize they are somebody’s spouse. They should be encouraged to pray for their spouse and for their marriage, not just drift aimlessly. Understanding the goal helps prepare us for what is coming. Without a destination, drifting can become an easy lifestyle. But God didn’t call any of us to be drifters. He has so much more in store for each of us and it is up to us to step into what’s coming. Even before we’re ready.
Don’t Wait Until You’re Ready
There’s an important distinction I want to make here: I’m not encouraging you to rush ahead of God’s order in life. I’m not saying treat your boyfriend like your husband – not at all! The roles we play must be honored and guarded. Children must have the opportunity to be children until the time comes for them to grow up. That doesn’t mean they need to be wild and crazy, but they should be encouraged to have their childish adventures and unburdened youth.
But the time will come when they need to be trained for next level things. Perhaps play time will be drawn a little short so that they can accomplish their chores. And chores are a vital part of training young children, so I only encourage that growth! As they grow and become young adults hopefully they will naturally shift towards pursuing next level responsibilities and interests. I think it’s so important that we don’t hold another back because of what we’ve come through or known. Everybody’s path is different and to hold one back because of another’s story isn’t necessary.
I also think it is important that we stretch ourselves and those around us. We don’t want to live dormant lives. I know I’ve said it so many times, but I truly believe God puts hopes and dreams in our lives as hint of what’s ahead. We should surround ourselves with people who will help propel us forward and we should also seek to challenge others around us. Growth is a key part in becoming who God has designed us to be. Step out in faith, don’t wait until you’re ready!
Bold Faith
It takes a bold faith to step out before we feel ready and yet I think it’s so important to lead our feelings and not let our feelings lead us. Bold faith can take us beyond our most incredible imagination. Consider what’s in your heart, consider situations around you and pray for the most incredible answers you can imagine. Don’t let complacency govern your prayer requests. And as has been said, don’t let your prayers go unanswered because you failed to pray them.
Have you heard the story about Henry Ford when he designed the Model T? He said if he had listened to what the people wanted, he would have given them faster horses. But instead he understood what they really wanted and created something beyond their imagination.
How can you apply that to your prayer life and use it to help you grow your faith and pray bold prayers? Don’t water down your hopes and dreams and pray barely there prayers. Instead, ask for wisdom to see things from God’s perspective and tailor your prayers for Model Ts instead of faster horses. This requires intention and specific attention to your prayer life. And the shift you will see will blow you away! Bold prayers get bold answers!
Real Life is the Best Instructor
Don’t wait until you’re ready. Definitely prepare and put in the work, but have the courage and boldness to take the next step even before you feel fully prepared. Don’t talk down on yourself or another by labeling them not ready. Real life is the best instructor and the best way to learn is to do. Honor God’s sequence, but don’t pause life in an effort to avoid mistakes. Trust God to guide your steps and put one foot in front of the other.
Our confidence is in God. Whether or not we feel ready we can have perfect confidence that He will show up for us and guide us in the path He would have us walk. Don’t let the fear of striking out keep you from playing the game. Speak life, speak faith, speak courage, and pursue what’s next!
I don’t recommend failing or messing up if you can at all possibly help it, so make your life choices carefully. And remember, we all fail, but it’s what we do after we fail that truly develops our character. Don’t fear failure, fear complacency, fear not giving it your all.
If the boy with the loaves and fishes had waited until he was ready (had enough to feed the thousands), he never would have seen the miracle that Christ performed! If David had waited until he had the right tools to face Goliath, his story wouldn’t inspire an untold number of people. We can’t afford to wait until we’re ready if we want to see God show up in our lives! All God requires of us is our all, He’s got the details and the rest of the story!
Until Next Time!
Hope.