Ready or Not...

"Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might break the power of him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil — and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death." Hebrews 2:14-15 

Joseph walked Mary on a donkey for over 90 miles in the scorching sun, the wind whipping around their faces and caking them with dust from the dirt road. The stable is packed with different farm animals. Flies are buzzing around them, and the air is heavy with the stench of manure and sickly sweet hay. And into this, a baby enters - Jesus. And when this baby was born into nothing, with parents who were mere children themselves, God fulfilled every promise and every prophecy - all in His perfect time.

He made himself to the very least with no status or opportunity, so that He can commune with us. The very least so that He can meet with the very most desperate: you and me. He doesn’t mind that I might not be ready yet and He doesn’t mind the wretched condition of my heart or the blackness of my sin. God’s time is now and He enters into the mess - our mess, ready or not and His timing is perfect.

What a God we serve.

This week has been tough on Colorado, the summer even tougher. We have experienced some of the most destructive forest fires in this nations history, and then to top it off we have a witnessed one of the most senseless acts of violence this country has ever seen. I live 10 miles from the fires and 30 minutes from the shooting, I feel as though I am at the core of this suffering and my heart is broken. Broken for the lost, broken for the suffering, broken for those who seek comfort but can find none. And more than all of these, my heart is broken for the afflicter.

From these tragedies, arise so many questions. Why did this happen? Why does God let these bad things happen?  What was the reason for this? Why why why? It's in these times that I don't feel ready, and I feel like I don't have the adequate words or answers to comfort people. And I don't feel ready to be a missionary, or to work in ministry.

But then I remember a time when I wasn't ready to surrender to Jesus, I remember when I wasn't ready to move to Colorado, I remember when I wasn't ready to share my testimony with people, I remember when I wasn't ready to lead someone to Christ, or convey my beliefs, I remember when I wasn't ready to let go of unhealthy relationships, I remember when I questioned everything, and I when I wasn't ready to give up MY plans and MY dreams. And than I remember that never, not even once, was I truly as ready as I had wanted to be. And I remember that God has kept and fulfilled every last one of His promises, every single one, in His perfect time. He says follow me, and He leads - He does not falter.  We don't have to be ready, He has been ready for us since the beginning of time.

God's purpose is perfect.

God's purpose is sovereign.

God's purpose prevails.

I can feel God moving in this place, using me and using others - bringing light from former darkness. I know He will take all these messes, and use them for His glory and divine purpose. Colorado needs your prayers. Pray that Aurora feels His touch - pray that Colorado feels His touch. Lord we need you now.


"The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit." Psalm 34:18