Do you have dreams that feel insanely out of reach? 

Do you feel like your heart is yearning for more time pursuing your passions but your life simply doesn’t have margin for it?

Do you feel made for something you fear you’ll never see realized?

I do. 

As vulnerable as this is, I feel like God has made me for speaking, writing, and ministering to others. Yet, the version of this that lights up my soul feels like a mountain top I cannot climb. 

What is even harder is that for years those around me have either spontaneously called out the giftings I feel called to walk in, or they have encouraged my beliefs in this being a path I was made for. When people tell you you’d be good at something yet, you have no idea how to get there and feel like life is holding you back, that is a very frustrating place to be. 

This tension has been building in me over the past couple years. 

During that time, I feel like I have learned a couple valuable lessons. 

1. Platform requires preparation

To be honest, the word “platform” even makes me cringe a little bit. But, I’m not sure what else to call it—influence? Regardless, if I desire to have an audience of any kind someday, I have learned that the  success of the ministry is most often determined in the preparation beforehand. 

People with a great message often have to first live a great story. 

People with a strong mission often have to first live a life of quiet preparation. 

Think of David—someone who would do incredible feats for the glory of God but it was his preparation in the pastures that laid the groundwork for his success. 

David had plenty of practice with his sling before ever using it for a glorious act of war. 

David had plenty of time in the quiet of nature to worship and commune with God before ever using his faith to sustain an incredible feat of obedience. 

David cultivated his gift of music long before the opportunity came to play for the king —ultimately opening the door to the rest of his destiny. 

Imagine if David had not capitalized on his seasons of preparation. Imagine if he had been discouraged by his unappealing job as a shepherd. Imagine if he allowed bitterness and hatred to take root in his heart at the mistreatment from his family. 

Talk about faithfulness. And this would serve him well even in the future as he waits years for the realization of his God-given calling to be King of Israel. 

2. Surrender matters

Timing matters to God but often His timing is different than our own. We know this, right, but how much harder is it to believe when it’s your story? 

There is a huge possibility that the gifts you have are God-given and will one day be used to the glory of God, maybe even on a huge scale. But, think of a fruit. Fruit is sweet, nutritious, and so enjoyable to the taste—but only when it’s ripe. Have you ever tried an unripe apple? It is small, hard, insanely sour, and lacks nutrients. 

Living out a premature calling may fill a few bellies but would it fulfill it’s true potential for impact? Might it be better to wait for the fruit to be ripe?

This illustration may tempt us to sit on our hands in self pity and discouragement but there is a reason I chose to list it as the second lesson. Reflect on the first, to encourage yourself. Just because your calling has yet to hit the stage does not mean there is no purpose in your current season. Be faithful with the little things, cultivate your gifts, learn as much as you can, grow, mature, and be ready to run through every open door—but stay surrendered. 

Maintaining that tension is a hard thing! Believe me, I know. 

Maintaining a hopeful expectancy as you work and wait, all while accepting with humility and grace that you do not know the future, takes guts. 

Again, I think of David. David was anointed king by God but would wait 15 years before ever sitting on the throne. 

Am I willing to wait that long? Longer if necessary? Am I able to wait with as much faith and faithfulness as David did? 

During those 15 years he would lose proximity to family, lose a wife, be running for his life and hiding from enemies, rejecting opportunities to end his misery early because he valued obedience and surrender more highly than he valued himself. David was content to leave the timing of the calling up to the God who gave it to him in the first place. 

I pray, I can be like David—passionate in preparation and undeterred in surrender. 

His will be done.