Recently, I’ve had a myriad of dreams and desires birthed in me:
Dreams of building a larger ministry to encourage and uplift others, writing inspirational books about faith-based topics, instilling hope and love to others through my speaking, and serving deeper in the community around me. Yet as I become more aware of these passions, I often fail to ask God the question of… when? When is it time to pursue these passions in my heart or visions I’ve dreamed of? And what should I spend my time pursuing with the bits and pieces of the day I get to myself?
When I fail at seeking God in prayer for His direction and timing for things, I often become overwhelmed by my current state of over-packed pursuits.
There are certain dreams and desires God gives each of us, yet often we fail to ask God for His perfect timing to pursue them. Some of us might be curled up too afraid to step out of our comfort zone into the tasks that He asks us to step into. Others of us act too quickly, seeing a vision, and run full steam ahead without submitting in prayer.
I tend to be the latter, jumping on impulse. Can you relate?
I’m sure there are many of us with dreams and pursuits, desires and passions, birthed in us to do “good” for the world around us!
Make a difference.
Create an impact.
We jump aboard the freight train pursuing those dreams before asking the important question of… when?
When do I start my business that I’ve always dreamed of pursuing? When do I pursue this dream of building a ministry? When do I begin writing those books that are on my heart to write? When should I change careers and go back to school for something else? When do we start pursuing our chances of growing a family together?
Often we fail at returning these dreams and desires to His feet, waiting patiently for His timing.
We must wait on the Lord for His perfect timing, asking Him in prayer to be our guide and direct us on when to step out to pursue the things Gods laid on our hearts to pursue in life. When we do this, we will run and not grow weary, we will walk and not be faint. (Isaiah 40:31)
I am again reminded of this underutilized tool that is in my tool belt—prayer—to guide me in my daily actions and help answer my important question of… when?
The power of prayer is huge. It is our gateway of communication with our Heavenly Father. The Creator. Lord of Lords. King of Kings. It is often widely overlooked as the powerful tool that it is, a tool God’s given for us to actually use for our benefit—to align our hearts with His, clear out the distractions of the mind, and give us insights into His clear and perfect timing regarding the next steps to His plan for our lives.
Otherwise we will run and grow weary, we will walk and become faint because we fail to wait patiently in His perfect timing.
Are you jumping on impulse making decisions in your life before sitting still long enough to seek God’s direction and timing? Did you jump into a new job before asking God for direction? Did you quit your job before asking God for the right timing to do so? Did you say “yes” to an obligation before asking if this is the proper time to schedule it?
We are told to be still and pray, asking God to lead us in His perfect timing. (Psalm 46:10)
Who better is able to lead us to the charge at the right time and keep us on the straightened path before us?
In all your ways submit to him, and he will makes your paths straight. (Proverbs 3:6, NIV)
When you submit yourself fully to God in prayer, a beautiful thing will occur; the storms in your heart will begin to cease, the fog in your mind will break way, and you will be able to see through clearer lenses the desires He has for you. You will have confidence in what He wants you to pursue in the now. In perfect timing. You will no longer feel overwhelmed.
Prayer is a powerful tool. It allows God to direct our hearts according to His plan and not our own. It reveals His perfect timing preventing our own imperfect impulses from getting in the way.
Do not withhold coming nearer to Him through prayer, in everything! For when we are near to Him, He will draw nearer to us. He will begin to fulfill the holy desires of our hearts in His holy and perfect timing.
The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. He fulfills the desires of those who fear him; he hears there cries and saves them. (Psalm 145:18-19, NIV)
