Sometimes we’re in seasons where everything seems to be happening, we’re given loads of opportunities to step out for God and things fall into place. But other times we’re in a season of preparation. This season is where God does a lot of work in us, but it seems like we’re standing still. When we’re in this kind of season, we can be tempted to complain and to ask God to change things. We want to be moving forwards, especially when we see those around us doing amazing things for Him. But preparation is very important if we’re going to succeed at what God’s called us to do. God knows what He needs to do in us before He can do things through us. In the Bible, David is a great example of this. He was often on his own, out in the wilderness looking after the sheep. His brothers ridiculed him (take a look at 1 Samuel 17:28 for an example), and he was overlooked because of his age. But because he had the experience of fighting off wild animals, he had the skills, confidence, and faith to stand up against the giant, Goliath. David said: ‘I, your servant, have killed both a lion and a bear...The Lord who saved me from a lion and a bear will save me from this Philistine’ (vv.36-37 NCV). He knew he hadn’t fought off those animals by himself. He knew it was God who had helped him, which shows that during his time of preparation, his relationship and trust in God had been growing. Then when he came to the big challenge of facing Goliath, he knew he could trust God. Times of preparation help us to grow closer to God and have the faith to trust Him when we get the big opportunities. 

What Now?

Write down what you’re learning about yourself and God through the things you’re doing now, however mundane. How could He be using these things to prepare you for the future?