There is an old adage: ready, set, go. And that is how many of us operate spiritually. But I wonder if our modus operandi should be: go, set, ready. If you wait till you're ready, you'll never go! I wasn't ready to pastor. I wasn't ready to get married. We weren't ready to go multi-site. If I've learned anything I've learned this: you'll never be ready.
I just read through the book of Acts and my macro observation is this: they didn't over-analyze. They genuinely believed that the Holy Spirit would guide them and He did. It is such a spirit-prompted story.
I absolutely believe in cost-analysis and risk-reward ratios. In fact, Jesus told us to count the cost. But two thousand years ago he also said, "Go." And he hasn't said "stop" since. So why do we ask if we should go? Shouldn't we ask if we should stay? I just wonder what the church would look like if we assumed go unless God said stop.
I know we need timelines and priorities and strategies. And I know you have to discern the Spirit's leading in the unique circumstances of your life. But I also believe in Ecclesiastes 11:1: "cast your bread on the water for after many days you will find it again." All I know is this: I don't want to get to the of my life and wonder "what if". It is the inaction regrets that haunt us. It's what we could have, would have, and should have done that we will regret the most.
Go. Set. Ready.
I just read through the book of Acts and my macro observation is this: they didn't over-analyze. They genuinely believed that the Holy Spirit would guide them and He did. It is such a spirit-prompted story.
I absolutely believe in cost-analysis and risk-reward ratios. In fact, Jesus told us to count the cost. But two thousand years ago he also said, "Go." And he hasn't said "stop" since. So why do we ask if we should go? Shouldn't we ask if we should stay? I just wonder what the church would look like if we assumed go unless God said stop.
I know we need timelines and priorities and strategies. And I know you have to discern the Spirit's leading in the unique circumstances of your life. But I also believe in Ecclesiastes 11:1: "cast your bread on the water for after many days you will find it again." All I know is this: I don't want to get to the of my life and wonder "what if". It is the inaction regrets that haunt us. It's what we could have, would have, and should have done that we will regret the most.
Go. Set. Ready.
20 Comments:
There are so many people who never get up and go because they obsess with finding out through prayer what God's will is for their life. And chances are, they are missing out on opportunities that are right in front of them. If they'd get out there and take them, they'd find God's will.
Great post!
Great post!
I don't always do it, but my thinking was changed in this direction after reading Erwin McManus' book, Chasing Daylight.
That book messed me up!
Great post. Also reminds me of READY. AIM. FIRE. These days we are more in the age of READY. FIRE. AIM. Truth is, the target is moving faster than ever. If we are living, creating, motivating, inspirating in faith...i think it is much more exhilarating to live each day with "hair triggering" passion.
Shoot!
One of my prayers in the past has been: Lord Move, or Move Me! I want to be a part of the GO Movement, not the ready one!
If this is a fore taste of your new book "Primal" I want to preorder 30 books. This has been my life...and especially right now as I am moving from Kansas to California for a ministry out there. The story of the whole thing is just like you described (http://tinyurl.com/move2Cali). It is interesting how many people within the church object when you live/lead with the mentality that you are talking about.
The Old Been Brothers: Woulda, Shoulda, and Coulda Been... I know them well. I like the perspective. Sounds risky, until you consider the fact that God is in control.
I believe people have a Yes God or No God theology. Those that have a Yes do something until God says No or Stop. Those that have a No don't do anything until they hear a Yes. Both work it just depends on how you view God and do it in your head. The Yes God people can get to far ahead of others, the No God can do lots of maintenance. They both have advantages and disadvantages, each individual needs to figure how they do it. Then you can adjust changes from there. Generally speaking the Yes God people are more on the risk taking side.
wow. could you just slap me in the face? that's good stuff!
piggybacking on DOLSON-ALC's comment
I agree that too often we are paralyzed with hypotheticals. But I have experienced times when it appears I've outrun God's timing on things. Nothing would happen no matter how hard I tried, then out of nowhere a few months later, it happens.
I'd be interested to learn how you've found balance with this...
Matt
Christian2.0
I honestly think it's trial and error, but over time we get better at intuiting the Holy Spirit's leading. We cultivate a "sixth sense," but I've definitely missed His leading more than once. Thank God He's the God of second chances!
Mark
In my case, i am SO GLAD He is the God of 2nd, 3rd, 4th...counting....
Anyone? Anyone? Bueller?
P. Mark,
Great post!
Someone once said, "God's name and the word gospel both starts with the word 'go' for a reason."
Just a thought.
I think that many churches miss out because they fail to apply this beyond the theoretical. It's in the practical (the practice)that God moves.
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Mark,
Love this message.
First heard it from Dr. TL Osborn, with whom I have had the privilege of traveling, coordinating events all over the world.
He and Daisy read "go" and never found stop, 65 years and 90+ nations later, many say he has seen more miracles and witnessed more salvations than anyone in history.
I also like the tense of the word, "go" in that commission. It could have been translated "in your going", which means we are always "on go".
Grace and Peace,
Another Mark
Well said and right on the money for where I am right now - thanks for sharing this post.
Planting a church that launches on March 29th. Opening series: Wild Goose Chase!
Thanks Matt for the great post. It reminds me of Jesus sending the boys out two by two (Matt 6:10 and Luke 10:1), I know they weren't ready but Jesus said Go! Kinda gives me hope when I Go! before I am ready.
I once heard Erwin McManus say, "Go unless you get a no." I think life would be much more exciting and fulfilling if we risked more and played it safe less. Thanks for this post. I needed the reminder.
Mark! I am lame I called you Matt! Please forgive me...
Hey, Mark.
I'll drink to this! In fact, I'm in the middle of a "Go, ready, set" situation right now. I'm going to go cover an NGO conference as a freelance journalist...in Baghdad. I've never covered anything like this before, don't know if I can do it, but the Lord dumped the situation in my lap. Couldn't say no. We'll see what happens.
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