We have all heard the adage, “If you want to hear God laugh, tell Him your plans.” Oh boy, is that ever true for my life. God has taken me down a path that I could never have dreamed up on my own. And along the way, I have had moments of kicking and screaming because I wanted things to go my way. Does this sound familiar to you? Have you told God your plans and He did nothing short of the opposite?
Now that I can look back on these times, amidst my tantrums, the situations ended better than the ones that I had planned, and something about me was improved in the process. This brings me to my point – Are we ever really prepared? Most of us love control and feel the need to prepare as much as possible for major and minor events alike. We then feel anxious when things do not go as planned. But is there more to life than stressing ourselves out to be “ready” for anything?
There is something about our society that tells us that we must be absolutely prepared for everything, especially having children; from the books, blogs, how-to guides to even creating a baby registry (the never-ending lists of all the things you need). Recently, I have had two friends, who are pregnant with their first babies, come to me and comment on the stress from the pressure we feel to be prepared for every moment. One friend told me she hates being asked, “Are you ready?” Of course, we want to be responsible in our choices and ultimately be good parents, so there are obviously good parts of readying yourself for what is to come. But why can we not let ourselves really experience each situation for what it is? We almost seem afraid to let go and let God.
More than that desire for absolute readiness, we are to be faithful to God’s plan for our lives.
All this being said, none of us at Biking for Babies take unplanned situations lightly. The extent to which they can feel impossible is noteworthy. That is exactly why we go on mission, again and again, for women and their families, most of whom we will never meet. We may not know exactly what you are going through, but we are here to make sure that not being prepared for it, will not derail you. It will bring you closer to God and His providence. We at Biking for Babies have each experienced that God equips the called (and does not only call the equipped). He will give you the strength you need to do what He is calling you to do. Looking to God’s will and being open to His plan more than my own has (and continues) to result in so much grace. It is hard, but so worth it!
Our missionaries are in their final month of preparation for the National Ride in July. Will the riders be fully prepared to tackle 125 miles and 8 hours on a bike? Will the support crew missionaries be ready when the riders are struggling, late, and trying to beat the sunset, and then only getting 3 hours of sleep so that the jerseys get washed? We hope so, but there will most likely be moments where they must surrender to God’s will and offer up their hardships. Pray for this final month before the ride and for God’s steady hand on their spiritual, physical, and mental preparedness. And pray that this unique opportunity allows them to encounter Christ in a special way.
What little and big ways can you help those in your life who are experiencing anxiety about being unprepared for something? Can you show them how faith guides us in those times? How can we be better, brighter lights for helping walk with those who need help experiencing life and letting go of their plans?
