Ready or Not

As I write this post, I’m preparing to go back to college. I had a lovely break of doing absolutely no homework. I spent time with my family, attended my church, and hung out with my friends. I cooked meals in my own kitchen, showered in my own shower, and slept in my own bed. I enjoyed being home. But now I must return to my home away from home—the far-away land called “College.” And I’m just not ready to go back there.

Why Did I Think That I’d Be Ready?

After taking a break from classes, professors, tests, and homework assignments, I can’t imagine going back. I don’t want to return to the demanding schedule, constant socialization, and irritating classmates. I’m dreading the lack of sleep, homecooked meals, and clean showers. I already miss my family.

But maybe I don’t have to feel ready to return to college. Maybe I don’t have to feel anything. Maybe I just have to go back in spite of how unready I feel. In fact, maybe we shouldn’t be so worried about feeling ready. Maybe we just need to do the next right thing.

Maybe you don’t think you’re ready to start a new job, go back to church, form a ministry, or learn a new skill. Perhaps you don’t feel ready to start a family, move to a new place, begin a relationship place, or lead a group.

But maybe it’s time to rip off the Band-Aid, friends. You know what I’m referring to—the Band-Aid that says, “You’re not ready. You can’t do this. You shouldn’t even bother.”

Actually, that’s not a Band-Aid; that’s Satan. He wants you to forget about God’s purpose and plan. He’d rather you to stay in your little bubble for your whole life. However, God often works beyond our little bubbles.

Go. Stay. Try. Wait. Learn. Teach. Listen. Explain. Watch. Show. Do.

Now the God of peace, who brought up from the dead the great Shepherd of the sheep through the blood of the eternal covenant, even Jesus our Lord, equip you in every good thing to do His will, working in us that which is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen. (Hebrews 13:20-21 NASB)

Friends, if God wills for us to do something, He’ll make a way for it to happen. Then we must choose to walk that way. He offers opportunities to us, and that’s how we learn to obey Him—when we take those opportunities. Honestly, we need to spend less time wondering if we’re ready and more time wondering if we’re following where God leads.

Don’t listen to Satan when he says that you can’t do it and that you’re not prepared. Listen to the One who says that He’ll will prepare you for the challenges ahead. He’s making us ready.