I don’t have a wife that takes a long time to get ready but on the other hand she is a woman and well she still takes SOME time to powder her nose. Guys tend to be ready to leave in a more timely fashion and we can generally be found sitting on the couch watching TV or in the car with the engine running (the latter does nothing in regards to a woman moving any faster). Either way I can always be heard saying, “I’m ready when you are.” When I used to have a lot of hair I have to confess to using mousse and my mom’s Aqua Net hairspray to keep it in place. Hey, I grew up during the 80’s hairband days! What can I say? By the way that’s just our secret!

There is no doubt in my mind that this phrase will be used extensively on this Valentine’s night!

I am on a 40 day prayer journey through the Lent season. This is the first time in my life that I have gone all out in giving up something during Lent but I am determined to grow closer to God. And I want to grow closer to God because being closer to Him makes it easier for me to hear Him when he speaks to me. I desire clarity! Mark Batterson has written a great book called, “Draw the Circle”, that, along with the Bible, is my guide through this process.

“God, I’m ready when you are.” I cannot begin to count the times that I have expressed these feelings to God. It seems as though I tend to arrive at this conclusion quicker than what He does. I’m ready to move on, I’m ready to be done, I’m ready for the next step, I’m ready to get off of the potter’s wheel, I’m ready, I’m ready, I’m ready already! Wow! What a whiner! Many women spend some extra time in the primping room just to teach a guy like me a lesson. I’m sure of it. I don’t believe God needs some extra time doing His hair but there are a few things that He brought to my attention.

1. I might think that I’m ready but I’m not. In the haste to get ready and get out of the house there have been times when I forgot my belt, had on different colored socks, failed to see that my shirt was dirty or recognized that my pants needed to be ironed. In the busyness to get from point A to point B I tend to forget that God still needs to tighten some things up on me, clean up some dirty spots, or to simply iron out some details. Jeremiah 18:3-4 says, “Then I went down to the potter’s house, and there he was, making something at the wheel. And the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter; so he made it again into another vessel, as it seemed good to the potter to make.” I may think that I’m ready but my wife is the final judge. I will just keep spinning on the potter’s wheel until he feels that I’m ready.

2. I might actually be ready but God isn’t. Proverbs 16:9 says, “A man’s heart plans his way but the Lord directs his steps.” This one is probably the most frustrating place for me to be in. I’ve cleaned up well, there is nothing wrinkled or dirty and I match but for some reason God just isn’t ready yet. A friend of mine once told me something that I will always remember; “keep your bags packed but don’t waste your time looking at the front door.” Isaiah 55:9 says, “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord. In fact the Bible tells us that God is not constrained to minutes, days, or years. He is outside of time (John 8:57-58). A woman doesn’t pay attention to the clock when she’s getting ready. She is outside the realm of time:) Waiting on God and on His timing is a huge challenge! My advice? Continue to be faithful where you are right now, have your bags packed, but don’t keep looking at the front door. It will only make time go slower!

3. We’re both ready to leave the house. Praise the Lord! Hallelujah! This is the cool part where we actually get to go out on the date that we both have been looking forward to. All the primping has been completed and we now get to enjoy the journey and the joy of all of the unforeseen adventures ahead. The Jeremiah 29:11 plans are coming to fruition!

“The plans of God are only revealed in the presence of God.” Mark Batterson

I’m ready but will be patient until you are.