These were the words I heard as I skied past Mary and Richard, my high school youth leaders. "Skied" is a bit of an exaggeration as this was my first time on the slopes. But regardless, I had skis on my feet and poles in my hands when I passed them at the meeting point where they were gathering all the novice skiers to wedge our way down "Easy Street."
Stopping at the meeting place really wasn't possible for me when I heard Mary's voice. So, I careened passed the meeting point and down the mountain dodging moguls that seemed like mountains. As I gained speed I lost the ability to turn. I hit one of these molehill-sized moguls, caught air, tangled my skis, and landed in a very ungraceful heap with my knee twisted beneath me.
Since I was so cold, I couldn't really tell that my knee was hurt and I skied for the rest of the day. By the time we got back to the cabin, my knee had swollen to the point that Mary had to cut my jeans off of me. Yikes!
I really "shouldn't have been going that way." I didn't have the skills, the experience, or the training necessary. I wasn't prepared.
I wonder if you can relate. Have you ever found yourself in a situation where you are in over your head? In which you wonder if people around you are saying, "She shouldn't be going that way?" A situation for which you know you aren't prepared?
Although a few more ski lessons could have been helpful in that situation, I've found that preparation to receive God's assignment doesn't come so much through strategizing and studying as it does through faithfulness to God and attentiveness to our current responsibilities.
At Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion of what was known as the Italian Cohort, a devout man who feared God with all his household, gave alms generously to the people, and prayed continually to God.
About the ninth hour of the day he saw clearly in a vision an angel of God come in and say to him, "Cornelius."
And he stared at him in terror and said, "What is it, Lord?"
And he said to him, "Your prayers and your alms have ascended as a memorial before God. And now send men to Joppa and bring one Simon who is called Peter. He is lodging with one Simon, a tanner, whose house is by the sea."
When the angel who spoke to him had departed, he called two of his servants and a devout soldier from among those who attended him., and having related everything to them, he sent them to Joppa. Acts 10:1-8
God had an assignment for Cornelius, one that he never would have imagined. God was positioning him to forge the link between the Jews and the Gentiles. God appointed him to launch Peter's mission to "all nations."
Cornelius wasn't prepared for this assignment by studying, strategizing, or googling "Peter the Apostle." Rather, his preparation came through faithfulness to God and attentiveness to his current responsibilities.
I see five marks of faithfulness and attentiveness in Cornelius' life that prepared him to receive this assignment from God. You and I can also be prepared for God's next assignment by examining our own lives for these five marks.
Are we ...
Loving God with devotion
Cornelius was a devout man, a devoted man. His heart was turned to God. Loving God isn't about following a set of religious rules. Loving God means your heart is turned toward God. You don't just think about God, but your heart swells with love for God. Do you love God?
Welcoming God's authority in your life
Cornelius has a right understanding of who he was, and who God is. He respected God, revered him, stood in awe of him, trusted that God truly is God. Have you trusted God by inviting him to rule in your life?
Leading those in our care
Cornelius was a centurion, a leader among Roman soldiers. He also led his household. All of us have leadership responsibilities of one kind or another. Whether in your household, at work, in your church ... wherever God has placed you, you have responsibility. Are you leading well?
Giving generously to the needy
Cornelius saw the needs of those around him. He gave generously to the poor. God took note of Cornelius' generosity. His care of the poor actually rose up to God as an offering. Do you see the needs of those around you? Do you give generously?
Praying to God
Cornelius prayed continuously. He was in constant communication with God. Do you see prayer as a once-a-day activity you check off your list, or as the way to stay connected with God throughout your day? Do you pray continuously?
I'm convinced that studying and strategizing will only take you so far in preparing for God's next assignment. Now, a few more ski lessons may have gotten me safely down the mountain. But strategizing won't enable us to see where God is working, hear his voice, and receive his next assignment.
Get ready for God's next assignment like Cornelius did, through faithfulness to God and attentiveness to your current responsibilities.
What do you think? How high of a value do you place on studying and strategizing when you sense that God has something new for you? Does it seem crazy to you to give a higher priority to faithfulness to God and attentiveness to your current responsibilities than to studying and strategizing? I'd love your thoughts! Please leave a comment, or email me at cynthiafin@gmail.com.
