We can’t wait until situations are perfect or ideal to follow the Lord. We can’t wait until we have all the right equipment and latest software before we say yes to his invitation. We can’t wait until our bank accounts feel safe enough to take risks with God. We can’t wait until t’s are crossed, and i’s dotted to take steps with God. If we waited for those types of things to be in place and evident before we said yes to him, we may never move. We may never grow. We may never witness just how big God is.
Consider Moses. He didn’t want to go before Pharaoh because his speech pattern wasn’t ideal. But when he and Aaron went before Pharaoh, God used the staff in his hand to begin an impressive display of power and eventually to free his children from slavery. Consider Mary, the mother of Jesus. Talk about a less-than-ideal situation. Her first response to the angel’s message questioned the possibility of being with child. But her next response was a yes, “…let it be to me according to your word.” God took her yes and demonstrated his power through her to free all of us from the slavery of sin.
Let’s look at one more example from Luke 9.
When Jesus sent out the twelve disciples to minister, he instructed them to take nothing for their journey, no staff, no bag, no bread, no money, no extra clothes. That is a lot of exclusions. It feels unsafe and uncomfortable. But in this simplified state, they went preaching the gospel and healing everywhere. God didn’t need their extra stuff to demonstrate His power through them. He needed them, their yes, and their trust.
Wherever you find yourself today, and however the Lord may be leading you, it’s an invitation. It’s a personalized invitation to trust him again. He wants our yes and trust more than perfected skill sets and ideal situations. He will use what is in our hands, what is in our reach, whatever we will surrender to him to demonstrate his power and love. Why? Because we need to experience God’s power and love, and so do the people all around us.
Jesus, we will go where you say go, we will stay where you say stay. Today, we step past discomforts and move with you. Amen!
Brave Sparrow 