Are You Ready?

Posted on November 22, 2018 by America's Keswick in Freedom Fighters

“I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now.” — John 16:12

Early on in my apprenticeship of the carpentry trade I would often be amazed by what the Journeyman carpenters would do. The excitement of what was to be built was enough to lead me towards being a builder someday. I would often ask “What are we building today?” in which I was told, “You’re not ready yet, go get us some wood.” There was a process that had to come before I could build anything, it was not my time. I can almost relate to the disciples when Jesus was trying to tell them He had to leave so the Holy Spirit could come.

The process of maturing in Christ is so important to nurture and embrace that I believe if we’re not careful we can miss the benefits of being a child of God. The discourse between Jesus and His disciples in John 16 is a good lesson for us to realize without the Holy Spirit leading us to Jesus, we can become confused and distracted because of lack of trust. “Are You Ready?” I wonder what the expressions on their confused faces looked like. Intently waiting for their instructions from the One who has convinced them He is who He said He is. Hearing the words from His mouth that He is leaving but another is coming, One who will convict the world of sin and testify of Jesus.

“Are you ready” to wait on the Holy Spirit and respond to His leading? They only thing I can see that would hinder our walk with the Lord is not being able to bear the things He is showing us, not being ready in season or out. Being ready is a key element to seeing God at work in the things we don’t understand that can cause stress and anxieties. If I’m not ready, my interpretation of a circumstance can set off my default mechanisms of insecurity and cause me to fall into an emotional roller coaster.

To be ready is to “live in Spirit” of Christ, “If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit”. Being ready doesn’t mean we have to understand, our human instincts are to figure things out and fix it. There is a check list that can be helpful to God’s leading, is what’s happening correction or instruction? Is disobedience the cause, is it God trying to test me or is it just time to trust the process? Either way, the question of “Are you ready” needs to be answered. Is our time with the Lord serving us to better trust Him or just a daily commitment to read? I think today would be a good day to ask yourself, “Am I ready?” If not, fall on the grace of God to carry you through, Amen!

Written by Rob Russomano: Rob Russomano is married to Terri, and serves with her on full time staff. He is a graduate of the Colony of Mercy and is also available as a speaker of the grace of God with a message of Hope for church events. You can contact him at rrussomano@americaskeswick.org.

The Daily Bible Reading: James 1-5| You can download our 2018 Daily Bible Reading Plan by clicking here

Daily Quote: “To wait on God is to live a life of desire toward Him, delight in Him, dependence on Him, and devotedness to Him.” – Matthew Henry

This Week’s Verse to Memorize:Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,  through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. — Romans 5:1-2