Preparing for Your Purpose
Preparation season is one of the most important yet frustrating seasons of our lives.
The emotional back and forth of, “Will I ever reach the finish line of my calling?” or “How long is this going to last?” can seem to be overwhelming. I know Jesus had to have those same thoughts during His time on earth. Being raised in the carpentry business for thirty years was definitely not what we would expect for the Son of God. I know the enemy made sure to remind Him of that, just as the enemy tries to remind us that we haven’t reached the fullness of where we want to be either.
Where we want to be can either hinder us or motivate us.
Too many people put their focus on where they want to be but are unthankful for where they are and neglect the preparation of the present. They look to the future longing to be there as if it’s more valuable than where they are now. Pastor Terri reminds us that the journey is just as valuable or even more so than the destination. However, there are those that look towards the future, but they see it with the eye of faith. I believe that is you. When we look into the future with the eye of faith, it allows us to be present in our preparation knowing that the future is just a result of the current use of our faith.
The world has a different view that has crept into the Church—Ambition.
That means a strong desire to achieve something, typically requiring determination and hard work. While the definition doesn’t sound like a bad thing, we have to guard ourselves from the pride of ambition. Ambition is rooted in, “I can do this on my own by my hard work,” and completely neglects the operation and working of faith. Brother Keith Moore reminds us that apart from the Lord, we can do nothing, we have nothing, and we are nothing. Thank God for His grace that empowers us to be who He has called us to be, do what He has called us to do, and to have what He has called us to have.
How do we get past the frustration of waiting? By waiting in faith.
Psalm 27:13-14 in the Amplified Classic Bible says it so beautifully. “[What, what would have become of me] had I not believed that I would see the Lord’s goodness in the land of the living! Wait and hope for and expect the Lord; be brave and of good courage and let your heart be stout and enduring. Yes, wait for and hope for and expect the Lord.” When we truly believe that God will do what He said He would do, waiting and preparation becomes easier. We get impatient because our flesh tells us that it’s taking too long and if it’s taking too long it’s probably not going to happen.
David says, “What would have become of me had I not believed?” I don’t want to be on the side of unbelief, do you? We have two options. Wait in faith and get what we are believing for or give up and not get anything at all. Sometimes we feel like the wait is so long that we will never obtain the promise, but if we give up, we are sure to miss out on it.
The Passion Translation says verse 14 like this, “Here’s what I’ve learned through it all: Don’t give up; don’t be impatient; be entwined as one with the Lord. Be brave and courageous, and never lose hope. Yes, keep on waiting—for He will never disappoint you!” So many people are looking to be disappointed. The world brings a lot of disappointment because we are dealing with the flesh. God isn’t like the people we deal with in the flesh. Others may disappoint, but He never will.
Waiting is not passive.
Too many have been taught that waiting is doing nothing and expecting God to do everything. That is not the case. He requires us to use our faith and prepare for the manifestation of what we are believing for. It’s like parents who are expectantly waiting for the arrival of their child. They buy furniture, paint the nursery, buy baby clothes, and diapers. If they didn’t prepare, then they wouldn’t be ready for the arrival of their child. It’s the same with us. If we don’t prepare for what we are believing for, when it comes, we won’t be able to steward it well.
Maybe we aren’t seeing what we want because we are lacking the preparation. Faith prepares, but wishing expects it to be handed to them.
No matter what career you are in or want to be in, it requires training, whether that be through college or learning new skills on the job. God is looking for people that will not shy away from the preparation. He can’t use people that are unwilling to learn and grow.
Pastor Nancy Dufresne said at a recent KCBC Chapel, “You will not succeed in what you are born for just because you are called... you will only succeed to the amount you prepare.”
Jesus prepared for thirty years for three years of ministry. That is ten times the amount to prepare. Never take preparation for granted. If Jesus would have rushed ahead, it would have affected the whole world. You never know who will be affected by your lack of preparation. When we rush ahead, we make mistakes and miss things. But if you step into your calling prepared, there is no limit to what God can do.
Author: Marah Pope