The other day, I started sewing masks for healthcare workers. In doing so, I utilized several tools that I had not used recently but taken advantage of the fact that I had them. You see, I am not a sewer (not the sewer the Ninja Turtles live in but referencing one who sews!) by hobby. But there was a time I wanted to be. I grew up with my mother sewing all my baby clothes, blankets, and doll clothes, etc. Perhaps it was because we couldn’t afford any other way, but also because she had a love of creating and could make something where it preciously had not existed, simply from her talent and her machine. So, when I was pregnant with my first child, I wanted to mimic that creation process and set myself on a course to remember all the sewing skills I was taught in my youth. It was harder than I remembered. My mother surprised me with a sewing machine and some supplies for my 30th birthday, following my declaration of sewing intention. After being defeated by my baby-to-come’s pillowcase, I rendered loss and have only used such items on occasion. I am not proud of this.
Point being, when it came time to make these masks, I had to cut fabric. And I remembered, I have special scissors for that. I got them out, cut the first 8×8 square and realized, this is going to be harder than I thought. My special scissors were…. dull. Oh, the agony of trying to make it through fabric with dull scissors!
1Peter 1:5-7 For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love.
How often has that become the case in our spiritual lives? Prepared with good intention, yet shelved? Dull with disuse? I don’t mean waiting for proper timing aka Moses style; I mean actual preparedness gone to waste due to abandonment of cause. God calls each of us to different things. His Spirit gives us strength and conviction for His purpose.
1 Peter 1:8-9 For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But whoever does not have them is nearsighted and blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their past sins.
But take heart! You don’t necessarily lose it if you don’t use it. God’s will is ultimately always going to be accomplished. You can choose to be a part of it or not. But if you had hung up your jacket, it doesn’t mean it’s not yours anymore. Take it off the hook, put it on, and refocus by diving into His Word and prayer. If you don’t commune, you can’t commute. In other words, there is no shortcut to be ready for the calling of God. If you know He has something for you – get ready!
1 Peter 1:10-11 Therefore, my brothers and sisters,[a] make every effort to confirm your calling and election. For if you do these things, you will never stumble, and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Maybe this doesn’t apply at all. Perhaps you’ve stayed the course and are beginning to be burnt out because others aren’t stepping up. Don’t get distracted from your quest. That yearning that the Lord put in you will be kindled to a roaring fire again, he has INTENSE purpose for YOU! Stay the course, lighted step by step from His Spirit (Ps 119:105), and know that you are exactly where you should be. But listen up! If His Spirit says move, then do it! Don’t be concerned with the hows and provisions. During this season of Passover, remember that He called the Israelites to MOVE (Ex 12:11). They didn’t know the details, but they did know their God. Trusted their God.
We can surely do the same. Get ready!
Prayers and Petition 