Conditions are Rarely Perfect

“He who observes the wind will not sow, and he who regards the clouds will not reap.” Ecclesiastes 11:4 (NKJV)

In a story published by the Livingston County News out of New York over the weekend, it was reported that “John Schnitter of Geneseo won the Oak Tree Half Marathon while also setting a new age group record in the process. More than 500 runners finished the 21st Oak Tree Half Marathon & 5K races that took place Aug. 31 through the town of village of Geneseo. Race Director Ben Gajewski, who is also executive director of the Genesee Valley Conservancy describes race conditions as perfect and noted that several new records were set.”

As a longtime runner and race director, I can tell you that it comes as no surprise that several new records were set. And I’m sure the runners were ecstatic! Because one thing is certain in the world of running, race day conditions are never certain.  Which makes "perfect" conditions rare to say the least. And while I personally have never NOT stepped up to the start line because race day conditions were less than perfect, I know many runners who frequently bow out of races they’ve trained and paid for if their chances of success are slim due to the conditions, or if it appears that the weather will cause excessive suffering.

Unfortunately, waiting for "perfect" conditions is not something only runners do though. Many believers are guilty of this as well. This was something Solomon observed that led him to say “He who observes the wind will not sow, and he who regards the clouds will not reap.” Solomon understood that the person who is waiting for the perfect conditions or the perfect timing (always looking around for the winds to change or looking up at the sky for a flawless forecast), to do something will never step out and begin to do anything… and will therefore never fulfill their God-given calling. 

“ If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.” 

Colossians 3:1-2

I don’t know about you, but I find that very sad considering that there is so much joy to be found in serving the Lord (so much joy!). But this is the deal... when a person keeps their hearts and minds set on the things of this world, they will always find a reason—or an excuse—as to why “now” is not the right time to step out and obey the Lord. This is a sure way to delay (at best) or completely prevent (at worst) the harvest the Lord wants a person to receive. You see, the one who waits for certainty in an uncertain world will certainly wait… and may never find the conditions perfect enough to step up to the start line. Which is the very reason believers must keep their hearts and minds set on the things above... viewing everything through an eternal lens and being obedient to the calling God has placed on their lives, no matter how imperfect the conditions might be or how slim their chance of success might seem. When God says "Go!" believers must go!

 

“Then Mary said, “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.”

 Luke 1:38 

There is perhaps no better story about bad timing or conditions that were less than perfect than the story of Mary, the Mother of Jesus. To say that it was not a good time for Mary to be pregnant with Jesus, would be an understatement. As an unwed, pregnant teenage girl living in a society where such a situation brought shame, judgment, and the threat of severe punishment, Mary knew that the road ahead would not be easy. But Mary had her heart and mind fixed on things above, and not on the earth. So, when the angel Gabriel told Mary that she would conceive a Son  (not just any son but the Son of God!) that would be called Jesus, Mary didn't hesitate to say, "Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word." And because of Mary's immediate obedience, she fulfilled her God-given purpose and had the awesome privilege of giving birth to the Savior of the world. 

“In the morning sow your seed, And in the evening do not withhold your hand; For you do not know which will prosper, Either this or that, Or whether both alike will be good.” Ecclesiastes‬ ‭11‬:‭6‬ ‭

So, when the Lord calls you to do something, do it my friend. Don't wait for the right time or the perfect conditions either because chances are, the perfect conditions will never come! And don't waste time looking around or looking up. Set your heart and mind on things above today and say, "I am your servant Lord. I will do as you say. In the morning I will sow my seed, even when there’s no chance of rain, and in the evening I will be found busy as well, praying that You will bring in the harvest.” Now that won't mean the road ahead will be easy (because it won’t) but it will mean that you'll reap rewards far greater than you could ever imagine. 

Heavenly Father, thank You for reminding us that our obedience always comes with rewards. Lord, help us to see things through an eternal lens that we would step out to do the impossible the moment You tell us to move. Remind us that life is short Lord and that we don't have time to wait for the conditions to be perfect. As your Word tells us... the harvest is ripe but the workers are few. Compel us to be those workers who go out to bring in the harvest no matter what conditions we are faced with. Help us to rejoice in our sufferings and to count it all joy when we encounter trials! It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!