One hundred and twenty-two months ago today, I sat at my desk with no appointments, no tasks to perform, no clients to serve, and no employees to pacify. My desk was empty. So was my mind. I had absolutely no clue what I should do for the next ten minutes of my life. Much less the next ten days or their following ten years.
Until that purposeless day, years ago, my entire life had been directed by others. Oh, I had flickers of freedom, twinkles of time when I chose to watch a movie or play my guitar. But all the sparkles of significant activity in my life were dictated by other people.
My parents told me what friends I could see and when to go to bed; my teachers told me what books to read and which assignments to turn in; and my bosses told me where to sit and which clients to serve. Even when I became a boss, higher-up bosses assigned budgets, projects, employees, and deadlines.
In 1989, two friends and I bought a software company. We no longer had bosses, not even shareholders to please. We were the bosses and shareholders. But even then, my daily activity was determined by clients, employees, and industry competition.
My life was not my own, except for the merest flashes of freedom when I golfed or scuba dived.
Ten years ago, I quit that job to pursue ministry, but on day-one, I woke up with a sterile desk and no parent, teacher, or boss to hint at what I should do for the next ten minutes.
Living a Prepared Life
When Winston Churchill became prime minister of Britain, at the beginning of World War II, he said, “I feel like my whole life has prepared me for this moment.” Personal preparation is the pattern of God’s hand in our lives:
- Joseph was hand-groomed by God to be the prime minister of Egypt;
- God invested eighty years to teach Moses to lead his people home;
- David was trained as a shepherd, so he could battle Goliath (David himself sang, “You trained my hands for war and my fingers for battle”);
- Esther was brought to the palace “for such a time as this.”
God’s personal preparation is not reserved for the big-wigs of history. He acts the same with us.
Churchill’s comments are completely consistent with the Father’s work in our lives. God orchestrates our entire journey—up to the last tick on the clock—to train us for this second. And he uses this moment to get us ready for the next.
Living a 4th Quarter Life
Professional football players are trained from the first day they tackle their little brother; and in the Super Bowl, it all comes down to the fourth quarter. Even the first three quarters of that game are just training-ground for those last fifteen minutes.
The question for all of us is simple: What are we going to do with our last quarter? What purpose has God invested years equipping us for? God used past coaches—parents, teachers and bosses—to prepare us to lean on him alone in this, our endgame.
What has God so strongly put on our hearts that we’ll do it when our parents aren’t there, our teachers are silent, and our bosses retired? What are we unstoppably willing to pursue, even if there is no money, audience, or fame, and even if we lose friends, family, or die because of it?
We are right now—no matter our age—living in our fourth quarter. What will be our game? Let’s not dabble-away our most significant moments playing golf.
Sam
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God still personally prepares us today, with words, circumstances, friends, and family; but especially with His Words. He wants us to learn to recognize his voice when we drive to work, wait in line, and engage in prayer.
To grow in that divine dialogue, please watch the video bel0w (It’s Not that God Is Silent), and read, Hearing God in Conversation.
[vimeo id=189561250]
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Fear for a Son
Thank you, Sam! It is so refreshing to understand that our Lord has prepared us to be right where you are!
Exactly. I think of David. He didn’t go to Israel’s West Point, but God trained him to be the head of armies.
God’s been doing something with us, even if we went to the wrong school or made a bad career decision.
If God can make a shepherd a king, he can do something with us.
Sam, I needed that this morning! Thank you!
I needed it too!
Thanks
Sam, I’m there right now. Thank you,
Scott
Friends need friends. I’m glad we’re in this together.
Sam,
I sometimes wonder if you write this blog and your sermons just for me. Since my wife graduated to her home in glory in January I feel like I have been propelled into outer space with no frame of reference, no constraints, and no clear direction for my life. On top of that I have no motivation to do anything anyway. It is an uncomfortable freedom. Instead of being so busy caring for Carol that I did not even have time to sleep I now have no obligations to keep me moving. Well there are some but for the most part they are not pressing.
However the Lord does keep reminding me that he has plans for me. Good plans to serve Him and use all my experience to help other people on this path of life. It has been said “past is prologue”. In God’s economy nothing is wasted. I am confident that as my grieving lessens He will present me opportunities to serve Him and leave my mark on this world. I will not go home empty handed!
Thanks for writing.
Hi Bob,
Isn’t God great? Sometimes he takes you down a path so you can help me, and sometimes he takes me down a path so I can help you.
Christianity is a community-spirituality!
Sam
Bob, My circumstances are completely different than yours, but I also sometimes think that Sam writes directly to me. God’s family members take different paths, but it gives me joy to know that we are all moving in the same direction – understanding and receiving the Father’s heart and love for His children. I hope it gives you joy too while your path currently takes you through grief and transition. You are loved!
Amen!
Excellent post! By grace we have the freedom to discover and follow that for which we have been equipped and called, both a fantastic and terrifying thought.
HI Paul,
You nailed it with the “terrifying” comment. We all think we’d do great if we could do anything we want.
And then we get the chance, and we immediately look for a boss to tell us what to do.
At least we can blame someone else.
But also fantastic. To think God himself has prepared us.
Sam
Good word, Sam.
Cynthia, it is always good to see your name in a response!
I’ve been an Esther student for several years now. I continue to long to be a Proverbs (31) wife even after having been in love with and married to my husband for 50 years now. I agree that God is continually grooming and training for the next moment. Thank you for your sharing this. I pray it enriches many lives.