by Nick Miller

Are you prepared for the door that is about to be opened?

 

As I was reflecting on this past year, I was amazed at how God orchestrates and designs all things to work together in an intricate way. My wife and I felt a call from Christ to start a church, but this call wasn’t just a random call or a curious step. In fact, God was creating and placing both of us in places that would prepare for a time such as this. I didn’t see it then, but Christ was cultivating a gift in us that would be outworked in a greater way in years to come.

 

In this moment of reflection, I remembered one of my favorite classes in high school... Speech Class. In typical Nick Miller fashion, I had a particular zest for the speeches that we would create. I remember one speech in particular, the monologue, in which we had to replicate a famous movie monologue, word for word, for a minimum of 90 seconds. Immediately when we got the assignment, I knew what I had to speak on... Lord of the Rings! Sam delivers a heartfelt, tear jerking, life changing speech to Frodo in regards to light conquering the darkness! This is right up my alley. On speech day, I volunteered to go first, stood in the middle of the room, started the music, spoke with authority and passion, brought out the tears, and received a standing ovation! It was a special day for me in my life, but I didn’t understand the entire significance until recent introspection. In a similar way, my wife was incredibly committed and excelled in the world of competitive speech and debate...mostly debate!

 

Christ was preparing us and he has prepared you! Christ has stirred passions in you, placed gifts in you, built habits in you, and cultivated the skills within you for the season to come. God wants to do extraordinary things in and through each one of us this year, and He has prepared us for the season we are about to enter.

 

There was a young man in the Bible named David who was gifted, but more importantly faithful. He receives a call from God to be the future king of Israel. But years prior to his time as king, he was being prepared for his future position. While in the pastures as a young boy, shepherding his sheep, David would spend his nights singing and playing the lyre. This is where he cultivated his gifting in worship, and his skills with instruments. The king at that time, Saul, was being tortured by evil spirits and could not find a solution. Saul’s attendants offer a solution, to find someone who is gifted in music and worship:

 

"Let our lord command his servants here to search for someone who can play the lyre. He will play when the evil spirit from God comes on you, and you will feel better.

 

So Saul said to his attendants, ‘Find someone who plays well and bring him to me.’

One of the servants answered, ‘I have seen a son of Jesse of Bethlehem who knows how to play the lyre. He is a brave man and a warrior. He speaks well and is a fine-looking man. And the Lord is with him.’” - 1 Samuel 16:16-18

A door was opened in that discussion. Through the preparation, the lonely nights playing music for his flock, and the continuous practice, David’s skill and power had been recognized. It was clear that David was anointed to help the king with this extreme problem. Saul commands that David be brought in before him, to discover if he can help:

 

"David came to Saul and entered his service. Saul liked him very much, and David became one of his armor-bearers. Then Saul sent word to Jesse, saying, ‘Allow David to remain in my service, for I am pleased with him.’

 

Whenever the spirit from God came on Saul, David would take up his lyre and play. Then relief would come to Saul; he would feel better, and the evil spirit would leave him.” - 1 Samuel 16:21-23

 

Little did David know that the lonely nights out in the field singing and creating music were preparation moments for him to be placed in the courts of his destiny. After many years David would go onto become king, the greatest king of Israel. The preparation prior to the opportunity allowed David to become what he was anointed to be.

 

Christ has prepared you for the season ahead. He has used years and years of experiences to lead you to this very place. No matter where you find yourself, mountain or valley places, He is grooming and growing you to step into your calling. I believe that this year is going to be a year of open opportunities and doors for us to step into. All of the experiences, the practice, and the preparation paired with faithfulness will draw us closer to where we are called to be. When I was in eleventh grade, I did not fully understand that speech training would later be used to spread the gospel at a church. Imagine what God can do through you this year!

 

photo: unsplash.com