I think we will spend two more weeks on creativity and then move on to something else. Maybe it's time for a Celebrate a Failure week! At any rate, I hear many people say they are concerned about timing or the right season to do this or that creative thing. They don't want to miss or get ahead of the Lord, so they watch and wait for God's timing. This is am important issue when it comes to acting on your creative ideas, so let's look at it more closely. When I am asked about timing, I usually give the same response; "Timing is pretty much irrelevant!" You will have to read on to see in what context I make this comment.
TIMING IS IRRELEVANT.
Perhaps I should say that timing as a planning tool is overrated. I maintain it is impossible to know what time or season you are in until you are in it. So why waste any time by trying to discover the right time, thus slowing down what you are going to do? Let me explain it another way.
How do you know for sure that you have a good idea? Is it before or after you implement the idea? You may suspect it is a good idea before, but It is usually after you take steps to carry it out that you know for sure. So if you are waiting for the right time to apply any good idea, you may never take action. That is why I say timing is overrated as a consideration when you look to step out and do something.
Perhaps two passages will strengthen my case. The first is found in Ecclesiastes 11:4-5:
Whoever watches the wind will not plant; whoever looks at the clouds will not reap. As you do not know the path of the wind, or how the body is formed in a mother's womb, so you cannot understand the work of God, the Maker of all things. Sow your seed in the morning, and at evening let not your hands be idle, for you do not know which will succeed, whether this or that, or whether both will do equally well.
The second is from the story of the four lepers in 2 Kings 7:
Now there were four leprous men at the entrance of the gate; and they said to one another, "Why do we sit here until we die? "If we say, 'We will enter the city,' then the famine is in the city and we will die there; and if we sit here, we die also. Now therefore come, and let us go over to the camp of the Arameans. If they spare us, we will live; and if they kill us, we will but die" (2 Kings 7:3-4).
WHAT'S TIMING TO A LEPER?
The four lepers saw their condition as critical. They were less concerned about looking bad or "missing God" than survival! It is not faith to want to know the timing and steps you will need to take to succeed. It is presumptuous! God does not owe you a full explanation before you take the first steps in obedience. To think that He does is to expect more than God gave Abraham. God told Abraham to set out. When Abraham wanted to know where he was going, the Lord basically responded, "I'll tell you when you get there."
If you don't identify with the lepers, you will then think you can "wait on the Lord." If you identify with their situation and see yourself in need to act and have faith, then you will act today on your creativity, ideas, goals and dreams. Have you had enough of being where you are? Then step out and be less concerned about timing and more concerned about finding fulfillment and creative expression.
Let me close with one more thought. I hear people say, "I don't want to get ahead of the Lord." I say, go ahead and try! If Ephesians 3:20-21 is true (and it is), there is no way you can get ahead of Him:
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
So dream big and then step out to see what happens. Be free to move out and about, knowing that you can't get ahead of God and you won't fully please Him until you act in faith, faith that the time is now to do the will of God. Have a great week!
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NEWS FROM KENYA: See the latest updates on our projects in Kenya along with some great pictures here. This picture is one example of the art that the people are producing now that they have a library with some supplies to express their creativity. Our next project is to set up a computer room in the library. This will be a big deal for the community, believe me. I depart on August 13 and I need your generous support to help the widows and orphans there. Please give through my website or by sending a check to PurposeQuest, PO Box 8882, Pittsburgh, PA 15221-0882. Thank you in advance for your generous support.
PURPOSECOACH: Years ago, I started a program called The Seven Steps of a PurposeQuest that I used to coach many people with great results. I mentioned last week that I feel impressed to resurrect that program. There is a cost ($699) but I am personally involved to coach and walk you through each step. If you are interested, drop me an email and let's get started.
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