Ready and Willing

I’m always amazed at how God works. He’s always involved in our lives, even when we don’t see Him. He’s always doing something that moves us closer to being who He created us to be. He’s either planting the seed or watering it, helping us identify His calling on our lives. Once we are sure that God is leading us in a particular direction, we tend to think once we are willing to follow God, things will quickly fall into place, doors will swing wide open and we’ll be on our way. But what I have found is that being willing to obey and follow God is just the first step. A big one, but still just the first one.

I’m reminded of three people in Scripture who took this first step that was quickly followed by the next. Once we are willing to do what God calls us to do, He has to make us ready. The bigger the calling, the longer the preparation period. Paul waited ten years after being converted before he embarked on his first missionary journey.   During his ten years of ‘waiting’,  God prepared Paul, making him ready for what he would face once his missionary journey’s began.

Moses spent forty years in the backside of the desert, AFTER God called him to lead the nation of Israel out of Egypt.  During this forty year period, God was making Moses strong and ready for the enormous task ahead. These were important formative years in Moses’ life.  When the time came for Moses to lead the Nation of Israel out of Egypt, Moses was ready for the challenge.

David was anointed King of Israel by Samuel while Saul was still king. The next fifteen years found David running for his life from this deranged king who was intent on killing him. Hiding out in caves, I wonder if David ever doubted what God was doing. But it was these fifteen years that prepared David to be one of the strongest kings that nation of Israel ever had.

What about you? Are you willing to follow God where He is leading you? If so, that’s great. That’s the first step in the process of fulfilling God’s purposes for your life. But it’s only the first step. Now, God has to prepare you for the task ahead. He has to make you ready. He has to make you wise, strong and more importantly, make sure your heart is humble. Keep in mind that the bigger the call, the longer the preparation period.