Not Ready, But Get Set And Just Go!

Ready, Set, Go!

This phrase usually means that it’s time to move, usually said at the start of a race or competition. When you hear this phrase, if you weren’t ready, you only have mere seconds to get ready for what’s ahead. Usually, this phrase serves as a warning.

If only life gave us this much of an advance notice; if only life told us “ready, set, go” before we find ourselves going forward with a job change, school graduation, life and death, moving to a new city or a new country. If only someone would shout to us “ready, set, go” before we launched into something we may have never done before in our lives.

But it’s not always that easy. In fact, most of the time, you never know what curveball life is throwing at you. At the onset of hearing “ready, set, go” you always know what you are walking into; you know you are in a race or a competition that you have been (hopefully) preparing for, you are just know being notified that the race or event will be starting very soon.

Why am I talking about this? Because I am thinking about all of the different things that I have experienced in my own life, even very recently. As I grow and mature, and as I am being called to higher levels of growth personally and professionally, it is very easy for me to try and fall upon the lie that “I wasn’t ready” and try to shy away from my responsibilities.

I’ve always been afraid to start something new, because I was afraid of my own mistakes, of messing up and becoming a liability. I was always scared that I was going to do something wrong, I would walk away with too many mistakes, so it was always easier for me to stay behind and follow someone else, to be simply a passive leader at most, simply serving or working under someone and being comfortable in the back seat.

Recently, I had a conversation with a friend that I consider something like an older brother at my church, sharing some of my fears and anxieties with some of the responsibilities being placed on my shoulder and saying how I was not ready to take on higher responsibilities and accountability, in my mind.

A small part of me wanted him to agree with me and say, “You’re right; you’re not quite ready yet. You need more training, you need to mature more, you need to develop your skills and talents more.” But if that was what I was looking for, then I called the wrong person. Instead, this individual proceeded to share with me how he felt the same way when he was called into the various leadership roles he currently occupies within the church. But, I tried to still justify why I was not ready.

His response: “You will never be ready. If you wait until YOU are ready, you’ll never go. The only way to be ready, is to just go and do it.”

“Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely, I am with you always, to he very end of the age.” – Matthew 28:19-20

I’m pretty sure that when Jesus told His discples, who had followed him for years to “go into all the nations,” they felt the same way I do now; they probably felt unprepared, unsure of themselves, scared, worried, and would rather remain in their comfortable places. But, what good come from a comfort zone?

And my friend/brother brought up another point; when hve I ever felt ready for anything that I’ve accomplished in my life? Did I really feel like I was ready to go to college after graduating high school, my first time living on my own? Did I really feel like I was ready to become a news reporter after four and a half year of studying? Did I feel like I was ready to start singing on the worship team at my church after years of being in the choir, let alone even sing a lead part in a song or hold a solo or the tenor section alone? Never have I ever been ready for what I was called to do. But, like the disciples, I have a promise from God; that He will be with me to the end of time.

“For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.” – 1 Timothy 4:8

Even athletes who prepare and train for a moment all their lives aren’t prepared for everything that happens. There is always a moment that can (and does) go wrong. But all they can do is pick themselves up and keep on moving. And that’s all that I can do; even if I make mistakes, I just have to pick myself up and keep on going forward.

And like an athlete, I can learn from my mistakes, so the next time, I can be “ready,set” and I can “go” into what I’m called to.

But I can’t go if I just stand at the start line. So, it’s time to lace up, strap on my boots and get “ready, set, go!”

I’m off!

First Quarter Completed: Life Lessons Learned

So today marks my 25th birthday.

What a blessing it is to have reached this age, this milestone, especially knowing that so many people who started this journey didn’t make it this far.

I hasn’t been easy, I’ll admit that. Even at this age, at this stage of life, I have endured some of the toughest lessons and experienced life in a way that could shake some of the faint of heart. But I can say that I’ve come out stronger, I’ve come out better and wiser, that God has strengthened me in ways that I didn’t even understand until I got through the storm.

And through everything that I’ve faced and experienced, I’ve learned some powerful life lessons that will stick with me, that have helped to shape and form the ideas, the passions, the desires, the mindset and the person that I am today at this age.

So, I guess, in a way, this could be considered my first quarter report card (I’m the child of a school teacher and I think of 25 as a quarter of a century, since my dream is to live to age 100, but anyway…)

I guess the big question is: did I pass or did I fail? But honestly, how does one answer that question? What is considered passing or failing at this stage of life? Is the fact that I’m alive considered passing? Then, yes I’ve passed. Have I leaned a lot of life lessons, eve about myself. Then, yes I’ve passed. Have I made a lot of mistakes, foolish and otherwise Then yes, I have failed. Do I have regrets? Then yes, I have failed.

But I can’t be too hung up. Moving into my mid-twenties, I am moving into a new season, a new phase of life. And even with the mistakes that I have made, I have made it this far, and I know that here is further for me to go and more that God has in store for me.

But I have gained at least one thing through this phase of life; a much stronger faith. So, in honor of my 25th birthday, I’m gong to share the 25 Bible verses that I keep close to me, that have helped shape me, that has carried me through even the darkest of times:

1. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13
2. For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten son, that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16
3. But my God shall supply all your needs, according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19
4. Your Word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path. Psalm 119:105
5. Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6
6. As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you; and you will be comforted over Jerusalem. Isaiah 66:13
7. But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. Isaiah 40:31
8. ‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11
9. Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. Romans 8:1
10. For we walk by faith and not by sight. 2 Corinthians 5:7
11. So then just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in Him, rooted and built up in Him, strengthened in the faith as your were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. Colossians 2:6-7
12. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. John 14:27
13. Therefore, if anyone is in , the new creation has come; the old has gone, the new is here. 2 Corinthians 5:17
14. I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. Romans 8:18
15. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding will guard your heart and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7
16. Now faith is the confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. Hebrews 11:1
17. But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light. 1 Peter 2:9
18. You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than then one who is in the world. 1 John 4:4
19. And we know that in all things God works for the god of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28
20. We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain. Hebrews 6:19
21. And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.1 Corinthians 13:13
22. What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? Romans 8:31
23. Jesus answered, ‘It is written: Man shall not live on bread alone, but on ever word that comes from the mouth of God.’ Matthew 4:4
24. Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Come near to God and He will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. James 4:7-8
25. When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I become a man, I put the ways of childhood. 1 Corinthians 13:11

Of course, there are countless more that really speak to me, that encouraged me, that grew me and pruned me, but these are the verses that always just stick with my heart, that always come to my mind when I need to be encouraged, when I need to be uplifted and verses that I quote when I want to uplift those around me. And they are in no particular order here; just as they come to my heart and mind in my times of need.

I don’t know what will happen next in my life, but just as I clung to my faith with these verses, I’ll continue to do the same as I walk into this next season.

So Happy Birthday to Me!