“A week ago, I couldn’t have even listened to this. I was so finished with everything that I wouldn’t have cared nor wanted to help. My marriage is…”

Oh no. Here we go, I’m thinking. He’s going to tell me some personal story and I’m not even going to get to finish my pitch. He was interrupting the purpose of our meeting.

And then it hit me.

This was the reason for our meeting.

God had interrupted my meeting with a much more important task. He needed to talk with someone about his life. He needed wise council. He needed a friend. After getting over my selfishness, it was incredible to see the turn in the conversation lead to a much better outcome than I could have hoped for.

Reminds me of the time Jesus was going to help someone who was dying. It was a long trip from where he was, so time was important. He’s weaving his way through a crowd when he stops because he felt someone touch him. “Who just touched me he asked?” His disciples are scratching their heads wondering what the big deal was. He’s in a crowded street. Tons of people could have touched him. And why was he wasting time, he needed to get moving to heal the person dying.

Then a lady who had exhausted every option to get healing admitted that she was the one who had touched him, hoping she could heal her internal bleeding. Jesus’ demeanor changes and he tells the lady her faith has healed her. After the scene, Jesus gets back on the schedule of the original plan.

He was interrupted.

And wasn’t that lady happy he stopped.

There are so many times in life that we are determined to not get distracted that we let incredible ministry opportunities walk right by us. This is why Paul told us to be wise with our time and make the most of every opportunity.

The next time someone interrupts your plans, say a prayer to see if God is doing this on purpose. You never know the impact that could happen.

Many try and fight it. They want to know “why”. They deserve to know why. But when the answers don’t come right away, their faith begins to shift. The unanswered questions pile up like bricks until a wall is built around their hearts.

And it doesn’t have to just be the negative events either. There are things that Jesus is trying to teach you right now, that will only make sense later. For some reason, it can’t make sense now. Only time will make it possible. The key is to know this up front and not give up in the process.

I think this is one truth we need to teach early and often in our churches. Jesus never promised us all the answers. In fact, he said there were even things that he didn’t even know, that only the Father knew. When Jesus did his not so quiet clearing of the Temple, John tells us it wasn’t until years later that the disciples understood the remarks Jesus made that day.

If the disciples didn’t get it immediately and they were with Jesus, why do we think everything will make sense now? I’m working through some things that has taken over ten years to begin to make sense. I fought it for a while. I had lots of questions. Then I started to give up, thinking I’d never understand. Then I let go of my control. And just recently God has been revealing the reason for the steps and why it took so long.

If you’re in the middle of a season of not knowing or hearing zero answers, I encourage you to not give up. It won’t always make sense. But then again, God didn’t promise it would always make sense. What he promised was, he loves you, has a plan for you, and he can be trusted.

Hang in there!

This same principle works in another way to. If there is nothing at stake, then you’re not going to take a risk with that dream or idea in your head. See, we usually think about the risk of going for it like:

- I might fail

- I might lose some money

- They will probably laugh at me

- What if it doesn’t work out

And these fears hold us back. We don’t write the book. We don’t go back to school. We don’t start the business. We don’t call our dad. We don’t chase the dream.

But what if we look at the other side of the equation? What if we realize something much greater is at stake? What if we think of all that hangs in the balance of our deciding to go for it?

Think of how many people could be impacted by the ministry you’re to scarred to start.

Think of the people that could forever change their destiny because of the book you think no one will read.

Think of what’s at stake for future generations before you hang up the phone.

The reality is, there’s a lot more at steak on the other side of your decisions than your short-term fear will allow you to see. Take some time to think about all the good that could come from going for it. Write down your ideas. Even if they are off the wall, would probably only happen once in a blue moon. If there’s a chance it could happen, write it down. Then compare that to your short-term fear list.

The long-term upside is almost always worth the short-term risk. Go for it.

The lie says that becoming like Christ is simple. All you have to do is say a prayer and you’re well on  your way. The problem is, that’s not the picture we see in Scripture. The process of discipleship is hard work, taking dedication, commitment and sacrifice. Paul tells Timothy he needs to train himself to be godly (1 Tim 4:7). The word train is the same word to describe how Olympic athletes train. No one thinks Olympians show up the week before the event to compete. We know they train for years. They give up their social lives, workout more hours than they sleep and follow strict diets. Their schedules are discipline and rigid. Why? Because they want to win the prize.

In this same spirit, we are to approach our growing in Christ with the same commitment, dedication, and effort as an Olympian in order to win the prize of godliness. (This is not saying that salvation is works based. It’s by grace and faith in the work of Christ at Calvary.) It didn’t come easy for anyone in Scripture. The disciples left their jobs to learn and grow. Paul would have logged more frequent flier miles than anyone of his day. Jesus got up early and often to spend time in prayer.

If we are to train like Olympians, then we should have a plan like they do.

Come up with a plan.

Tell someone for accountability.

Go to work.

That’s how  you train.

I hope all the hard work stuff hasn’t scared you away. Because the truth is, everyone who has made the sacrifice and commitment looks back with joy and gratitude for their decision. You won’t regret it. Peter didn’t. Paul didn’t. Stephen didn’t. And neither will you. Great relationships take work and effort. But the effort is always worth it. Go for it!

We have insurance for our houses, cars, kids and even pets.

We have seat belts and 14 airbags in our cars.

Our homes have alarms, dead bots and door locks.

Then you have kids and it goes to an entirely new level.

Safety and control are greatly connected, more so than we’d ever admit. Part of our obsession with safety is our obsession with wanting control. We want things to work out how we want them too. I am not condemning, I’m standing there with you. I strap the kids into their car seats every time we leave the house. I lock the doors and I have insurance policies.

But has this obsession with safeness hampered our ability to hear from God and then follow through on what he says? When God calls us to something drastic and life changing like he did to Abram, do we go? Or do we ask questions like “what about health insurance?”, “what about the house?”, “what about the finding a daycare?” All these questions center around our safety and our desire to be in control. But this begs the question, what does it really mean to be safe? Where do we find safety?

The safest place you can be is in the center of God’s will for your life.

If God’s will is to move to India=safest place for you.

If God’s will is for you to live in Beverly Hills=safest place for you.

If God’s will is for you to drive a VW over a Volvo=Safest place for you.

Notice, this does not say “the most comfortable place”. Being comfortable is a whole other point.

When God calls us to something, may our first reaction be “Yes, Lord” instead of “Is it safe?”

Jesus knew we would struggle with this so he reminded us often that he is willing and able to meet our needs. He told us to seek his kingdom first and all the other stuff would be taken care of (Matt 6:24-34). So, the question isn’t “is it safe?”, the question is, “Do I trust Jesus?” If you have trusted him to take away your sin and the death it deserves, certainly you can trust him to take care of your temporary physical  needs if he’s called you to move across town or to another city.

I pray that I can trust him more. I pray the same for you today.

I just joined up with Outreach Speakers to help handle many of my speaking engagement. Excited to partner with their great team.

Please let me know if there’s anyway we can serve your church, ministry, or organization.

If all your prayers from last year were answered, would anyone besides you, your family, and a few sick people be better off?

I didn’t have to stop and think too long about it. It was obvious that a majority of my prayers center around me, my family, my desires, my situation. Convicting to say the least.

The point is not to persuade you from praying for your circumstances or your family. The point is, there are a lot of other things that deserve our attention in prayer and God greatly desires our pleas.

> There are 27 million slaves in the world that deserve our prayers.

> There are a billion people without access to clean water that deserve our prayers.

> There are billions of people who have never heard the gospel that deserve our prayers.

> There are orphans in your city that deserve our prayers.

> There are single parents barely keeping their heads above water that deserve your prayers.

> There are kids that only ate a handful of rice today that deserve your prayers.

> The list could go on forever.

The challenge is not to stop praying about what you’re praying for currently, but to add bold prayers for those in need. It will take a mighty move of God to end slavery, end the water crisis, and bring the Gospel to those that are lost. A mighty move of God requires bold prayers. This will take additional prayer time for those that are serious. But it will be worth it. I want to see a mighty move of God in my midst. I want to see these prayers answered.

I’ve decided this is the year for bold prayers. Will you join me?

- They got a raise.

- They got a new book deal.

-They had 4,237 baptisms yesterday.

- They sold their house.

- They got engaged.

- They got their dream job.

- They were invited to a speak at ____ conference.

- The list is endless.

Sometimes, it is very difficult to keep going with your calling because “they” seem to be having so much more success. They get all the breaks. They get the opportunities. They land the deals, book the event, have the success. And when you compare that with where you are, it can really slow you down. I know from experience.

Here are few reflections:

1. For every great thing happening to “they”,  you rarely hear anything about the journey. If someone just got a book deal or a raise, it’s because they’re working hard and have been rewarded. You are comparing yourself to someone who is not at the same point of the journey.

2. Tune them out to focus. It’s difficult to focus on your calling if all you do is watch what everyone else is doing. Sign off of Twitter and Facebook for a few days and get back to work on your calling.

3. If you get jealous or frustrated when others succeed, you have pride and jealousy that needs to be dealt with.  I had to come to grips with this in my own heart. The more jealous you become, the harder it will be to pursue your calling. If the jealousy is left unchecked, it will infect your motives and destroy your potential. The best thing you can do is to start helping others promote their projects, congratulate them on their success, and pray for them.

4. It’s very difficult to trust God when you focus on them. God has mapped out your path specifically for you. You have to trust him, and the best way to do that is to focus your attention on him. Figure out what he is saying and trust his calling.

One of the doors I’ve been praying for is an opportunity to preach on a more consistent basis, with the ultimate goal of being full-time. I love preaching and have been doing it part-time for years now. I have had success and blessing with the opportunities I have been given. I take every opportunity with the utmost honor and opportunity of presenting the gospel. But I’m not full-time…yet.

My hope in sharing some of the frustration at where I’m at with my calling and ministry right now is for you to realize you’re not alone. You’re pursing what God has called you to but the doors don’t seem to be opening. Maybe:

• You’ve written the book, but few are reading.
• You planted the church, but few are coming.
• You started the business, but few are buying.
• You recorded the album, but no one’s booking.
• You want to become parents, but it’s just not happening.
• The list could go on and on.

I’m not very good at it. I hate waiting.

I try to pick the fastest checkout line at the grocery store.

I try and choose the quickest teller at the bank.

If there’s traffic slowing down on my commute, I take an alternate route.

I have Amazon Prime so I can have 2 day shipping instead of 5-7 day.

And I don’t think I’m the only one who struggles with waiting.

Our entire culture wants to hurry up and get it now. If you have to wait…well, that’s a problem.

I hate waiting. And its scary to see that bleed over into my relationship with God.

I don’t like waiting for answers to prayer. I don’t like waiting for doors to open.

I don’t like waiting in silence, begging to hear his voice. I don’t like waiting. I want the answers now. I want the doors open now. I want to hear his voice now. I don’t like waiting.

In the silence, I’m learning that just because God is not answering now, that does not mean he is not answering. God being silent does not mean God is not working.

In the waiting, we learn to trust. To get tomorrow’s daily bread, we’ll just have to wait.

God I’m waiting and believing you will answer in powerful and incredible ways.

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