I thought I was “ready” a long time ago. By my own assessment, I had the goods to begin shooting for the stars I dreamed about constantly. Thank goodness that the One who hung the stars knew better than I! A while back, during a season where I spent a lot of time alone, I didn’t realize right away that God was working to get some things out and put some things in. It was work that I needed but couldn’t get while in the crowd. What about you? What have you said you will “never” do again because of the pain you suffered? Take some time to hide & go seek God’s heart on the matter.
Today, my assessment accurately reveals that I do NOT have the goods. In other words, I realize that I don’t have it all together. That’s a major step toward being ready. But how do we assess being “ready or not?”
An accurate self-assessment of “readiness” has more to do with your heart than your abilities. Years ago, I could do some things well. However, I was living under blankets of fear and living by principles that said to the world that someone else was responsible for my lack of advancement. I hadn’t yet learned what to do with the pain of my past. I had no idea how to use pain’s energy to serve my future. I became bitter about my battles, unable to see my victories and the ways I had overcome.
What about you? Are YOU ready…or not? It’s about having done some work. We go to the gym to work out; but where do you go to work IN? I thought I was healed because I wasn’t angry anymore. Perhaps in a sense that was true. But there was still a hole and no matter how talented I was, that hole was affecting my progress.
Our ideal state is wholeness – spirit, soul and body. Doughnuts, straws – these have holes on purpose; not our hearts. Yet, to fill the holes takes WORK. Remember having a slow leak in your bike’s tire? The less air in the tire, the harder it was to pedal. You could go, but you had to double your efforts. Yet, once that tire was filled: smooth sailing. Well, how is your ‘pedaling’ going lately? Be honest. God can help patch you up!
By God’s grace leading me to and through the work, my “hole” is now spelled “WHOLE.” Yes, I still make mistakes. Despite my mistakes, I am sincerely grateful for the opportunity to do what I love. And now my heart can be better trusted with responsibility more than it could ten years ago.
I’m also grateful for personal growth. Divorce didn’t permanently sour me on marriage and painful friendships didn’t sour me on friends. God used people to teach me balance. Eventually I also learned how to take responsibility for my own highs and lows in my relationships and in life.
In Galatians 2:20 Paul says: I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. Wow! How do we say we’re crucified with Christ until we know the practice of laying our lives down and living by faith in Him?!
If everything we do and say revolves around our own pain or needs and not Christ’s need to live through us; suffice it to say we are not ready. Don’t just do workouts; do some work IN so Christ can work through you!