Trust God And Take Action
“Whoever watches the wind will not plant; whoever looks at the clouds will not reap.” (Ecclesiastes 11:4)
There is a time to be cautious, and a time to throw caution to the wind. And it takes discernment to know the difference. If you’re waiting for perfect conditions before seizing an opportunity, you will be hesitating until you die. The Bible says, “He who observes the wind will not sow, and he who regards the clouds will not reap.”
More often than not, the only thing between you and the fulfilment of your dream is an excuse: “I’m too busy…I don’t have enough money…I’m unqualified…I’m not ready yet…I have lots of problems.” Newsflash: no one is ever ready. Immediately before Christ’s first miracle, He shows a hint of hesitation: “My time has not yet come” (John 2:4). But Jesus had a mother who loved Him enough to persuade Him.
In his book Jump In!, Mark Burnett writes about his path to TV-producer prominence. Burnett created hit shows like “Survivor” and “The Apprentice.” He writes: “Nothing will ever be…perfect, and nothing can be totally planned. The best you can hope for is to be about half certain of your plan and know that you and the team you’ve assembled are willing to work hard enough to overcome the inevitable problems as they arrive.”
Note the words “the best you can hope for is to be about half certain.” That’s a pretty good paraphrase of Ecclesiastes 11. So, don’t “observe the wind,” and don’t “regard the clouds.” After you have prayed and prepared, it’s time to trust God and take action.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, help me take action and keep my eyes and ears open to You! In Jesus’s name, Amen.
ITTT
Wow. once again, this message is an exact fit for the circumstances I am struggling with. Our church, of about 250 to 300 active membership and boasts of a strong Senior focus, is trying to rebuild it’s Sunday School. In the last four years we did go from 0 to a faithful 8. But getting and keeping three or four Teachers to manage an age range of 6 to 15 was tenuous.Last September 5 of the children moved out into Youth, leaving 4 in Sunday School. Shortly after which, 4 new ones came in. BUT, then during this summer three of the four Teachers left for various reasons (one relocation, others – health). Now, we have a couple of lists of potential preschool agers from the Egg Hunts and VBS events. So…if we reach out to them for Sunday School when we don’t have the teachers to teach ? We see the storm clouds gather… but this is Sarasota, Florida. If you’re on I-75 and going through a blinding downpour…in about 3 minutes and at the speed of 65 mph, the rain has stopped and the Sun is shining. OR you call a friend who lives 3 miles away and was suppose to pick you up…but She can’t get out of the house because of the heavy rain. While by you the weather is dry as a bone.
So, “is it wise” to press forward on seeking those children on our list… worrying we may not have teachers and having witnessed the lack of success in getting them, or getting half-hearted helpers that “may give it a try” ?. I have to say, “GO” . If God gave us these lists of children, now, for the third time. He will give us the teachers. I’m still tempted to add…”but if He doesn’t…”
which indicates a consideration of “Rain”, surely a lack of Faith? or irresponsible planning? My heart still says ..go.
dorothy schawk