I remember working with a US National Team Soccer player filming a video at the Walt Disney Sports Complex years ago and can recall how everything was coming together for a ministry project. The grass was green and plush, the soccer ball shiny with large dimples, and the weather was sunny– perfect I thought. But when it was time for the player to do his part, he wouldn’t because nothing was right in his eyes. He saw the grass as too high, the ball low on air pressure, and the goals weren’t regulation size. The situation was more important than the result to him.
“Farmers who wait for perfect weather never plant. If they watch every cloud, they never harvest.” — Ecclesiastes 11:4
Solomon is urging us not to fall prey to idleness in this verse. He had noticed some people waiting for a more convenient season, which never came, and as a result, missed their opportunity to plant and harvest. Rarely does everything line up to work; but also, rarely does everything need to line up to work if you are pursuing God.
- A crippled man couldn’t get close to Jesus so with the help of his friends was lifted up and then lowered through a roof to heal.
- The Israelites had to overcome the large grasshoppers in their minds to conquer Canaan.
- Zacchhaeus could not see Jesus so he climbed a tree just to get a glimpse.
I’m finding that sometimes what God leaves out is as important as what He leaves in. If you wait for perfect conditions, you will not get anything done. Don’t stand idle but trust Him in moving forward in what He has called you to do.
- Have that talk to begin the reconciliation process
- Write the book that might inspire another
- Start the design project despite the incomplete vision
- Disciple the co-worker despite your biblical illiteracy
Focus on the outcomes not the conditions. Act today!
Reflection |
What is God telling you to plant or harvest now?