July 14, 2023 • 33 mins
In this episode, we explore the profound topic of being prepared when opportunity comes and obeying God even when nothing makes sense. Join me and let’s dive into inspiring biblical stories of faith and obedience, drawing valuable lessons that we can apply to our lives today. Discover practical insights and principles that will help you cultivate a mindset of readiness, surrender, and trust, enabling you to embrace God's plan and seize divine opportunities, even in the face of uncertainty. Get ready to be encouraged, empowered, and inspired on your journey of personal development and spiritual growth.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Sena (00:01):
If you have ever wondered how to be ready when opportunity
comes knocking on your door, andwhat to do in those moments when
God's instructions seem to defylogic, then you should probably
keep listening.
(01:01):
Hey friend, welcome to anotherepisode of Thriving Geng.
Today, we have a powerful topicto explore a subject that
resonates deeply with me, andit's the subject of being
prepared when opportunity comesand the importance of obeying
(01:22):
God even when nothing makessense.
Life as you and I know it isfull of unexpected moments and
sometimes opportunities knock onour doors when we least expect
them.
And this episode touches on howwe can ensure that we are ready
to seize these moments when theyarise.
(01:46):
So this past week, a friend cameto me.
And a bit of backstory.
A few years ago actually, thisfriend had shared with me that
one of his academic certificatesor diplomas, I should probably
call it, had the wrong spellingof his name on it.
(02:11):
And I remember back then, Iadvised him and I told him, I
think he should probably getthis thing sorted out.
I remember telling him it'sdefinitely important to make
sure that your name on veryimportant documents are spelled
correctly.
Because who knows whatopportunity may arise in the
(02:31):
future that you need to presentthis document.
You just want to make sure thateverything is done properly.
You have all your thingstogether and you don't have to
find yourselves scrambling whenthat time comes.
So I remember we had thisdiscussion many, many years ago.
(02:52):
And just this past week, thisfriend comes to me and was
telling me, Sena, you rememberthis thing you advised me to do?
Yeah, I never followed throughand now I need to get this
document for something and I'venow had to go pay a ton of money
(03:12):
to get things changed quickly.
And I was just thinking tomyself, wow.
We tend sometimes as humanbeings to think that certain
things are irrelevant or maybeirrelevant is too strong a word,
but I think that it's easy forus sometimes to overlook the
minor details and just feellike, well, if that time comes,
(03:36):
I can just talk my way throughit, you know, at the end of the
day, this part of my name isspelled correctly and I mean,
it's my certificate, so I canjust talk my way through it.
And I don't think this is whatthis friend had in mind.
I just think it wasn't apriority to him at the time to
get that thing sorted out.
(03:59):
And unfortunately the situationhe finds himself in now does not
easily allow for you to justsay, oh, well, it's, it actually
is my certificate, you know,just this and this and that
happened and that's why the nameis spelled wrongly.
Like at this point where you aretrying to maybe get into a
(04:19):
certain institution or a certainseason of your life is coming,
there are principles that comewith everything there are
principles that come with everydoor that we go through.
And sweet talking is not goingto get you through those doors.
It is your ability to meets theprerequisites that will get you
(04:40):
through that door.
So I wanted to do a podcastepisode on this topic of the
importance of being preparedwhen opportunity comes.
But I wasn't quite certain thatthat was what the Lord wanted me
to talk about this week.
But on Wednesday, it was likeevery sermon, every podcast I
(05:00):
listened to in some ways seemedto touch on this topic.
I mean, I was at the office Iwas working and I just had my
airpords in, cause I had to do alot of heads down work.
And every one I listened to.
And I'm talking about threedifferent vessels of God that I
(05:21):
listened to.
And even if it was just onesentence, it kept coming up.
The fact about being prepared,being prepared, the importance
of obedience in seasons when itdoesn't even make sense, just so
that when something comes uptomorrow, you are prepared, you
are equipped with what you needfor that season.
(05:43):
So I usually record the podcastepisodes on Fridays and just FYI
by the time you hear thisepisode it's probably going to
be about a month after the veryfirst episode.
I just try to give myself a bitof a buffer just because I'm in
grad school, I worked full timeand life gets very tough
(06:04):
sometimes and I just want tomake sure that I'm staying as
consistent as possible.
And so most of these episodesare going to be pre-recorded
unless of course there issomething that's of an urgent
nature that the Lord wants me totalk about.
But other than that, you'regoing to have to be piecing
together parts and pieces of mylife, and I think the mystery of
(06:29):
it is kind of fun, but let meknow if I'm wrong.
So, like I was saying, I usuallyrecord on Fridays.
But as of this past Friday, Istill wasn't certain of what I
wanted to talk about for theweek.
I mean, I have a ton of episodeideas, but they all just didn't
feel right to record.
So during prayer time with myfriends later that Friday night,
(06:52):
the preacher that we had on wassharing about prayer, the
systems of prayer.
And I was really taking in theword I was, you know, I was
learning.
I mean, I received so muchlight, so much insight.
But he said something and it wasjust a couple of sentences that
really dawned on me like, okay,this is something that the Lord
wants me to talk about.
(07:13):
So, you know what, let me obeyand talk about this thing.
So I do not really anticipatefor this episode to be very long
because I really just have a fewthings to say on this topic.
And I think I probably even saidmost of them already.
But it is my prayer that whoeverthe Lord wanted me to record
(07:33):
this for will listen and will dothat which God has instructed
him or her to do.
As Christians, we believe that.
Oh, God has a unique plan foreach of us.
Right?
This is something that we'vebeen talking about in previous
episodes.
We've talked about passion,we've talked about purpose a
little bit.
(07:55):
And we've really emphasized onthe fact that God didn't just
create us and just put us herejust to come in occupy space and
just live our best lives.
He created us with a purpose.
He made us unique.
He had a unique path that Hewanted each one of us to take.
And it's very crucial, I thinkfor us to be prepared and open
(08:19):
to the opportunities that Hepresents to us along the path
that He has set out for us.
And so when we talk aboutopportunity, we talk about
preparation.
Obviously you cannot be readyfor any opportunity that comes
your way if you are not preparedfor it.
Life just doesn't work that way.
(08:41):
But preparation begins withcultivating the right mindset.
A mindset that is not only ago-getter mindset.
Cause I know I'm anover-achiever.
I over plan everything in mylife.
I'm always putting pen to papertrying to just work out little
(09:02):
details and things like that.
But the power of preparationcomes not when you sit down and
you try to plan every minordetail of your life, but it
comes when you acknowledge thesovereignty of God and trust in
His guidance.
Preparation requires awillingness to step out of your
(09:22):
comfort zone even when the pathseems uncertain or conventional.
And as Christians, our feetcause us to obey God's commands,
right?
Even when they don't align withour understanding or they seem
counterintuitive.
Or it's just like God can't Yousee this thing that I'm going
through?
Why are You asking me to go dothis thing and be prepared for
(09:45):
what?
Like, no, I need to figure outthe season that I'm in.
I need to come out of thisseason that I'm in.
I heard one of my fathersProphet Nanasei say a couple of
days ago that When you're in avery deep financial situation,
you have your rent coming up andyou're about to get evicted,
kicked out of your home inprobably a matter of days and
(10:08):
all your prayer is on God sendme a helper.
Lord, send me a helper,financial assistance.
That's what you would bepraying, right?
I mean that's what I would bepraying.
But one thing he said that mademe stop in my tracks was he
said, what if the Lord insteadof sending you a helper gave you
a business plan.
(10:29):
You would immediately feel like,no, I don't have time to start a
business.
Lord this is not the time.
What I need is to pay my rentbefore I get kicked out.
Like, are You going to watch mego homeless?
What is the plan?
Lord, I don't need a businessplan.
What I need is money to pay thisrent so that at least I know I'm
sorted for the next month forthe next couple of months and in
(10:52):
my home country Ghana, we payrents in advance maybe a year or
two, whatever the situation is.
And so your whole focus is justhow do I just get out of the
current situation I'm in.
Without much thought really ofthe long term plan that God has.
And so I want to put thatquestion to you.
(11:13):
If you went in such a situationand the Lord gave you a business
plan, what would your reactionbe?
How would you feel?
I know for me personally, Iwould feel like God is not
hearing me or as sometimes Ihave felt like God is just not
paying attention to me.
Oh, He's just choosing topretend like He has not seen
(11:38):
what I'm going through.
But in that moment, we have toremember that God sees the
beginning and He also sees theend.
He knows what is going to happenfive minutes from now, even as I
record this episode, I don'tknow what I'm going to say five
minutes from now as I recordthis episode or even if I'm
(11:58):
still going to be talking.
But the Lord knows, and this isjust, you know, a tiny minor
picture that I'm trying to painthere.
But God knows why He's askingyou to start that business in
that moment.
And maybe after you take onwhatever business idea He's
giving you, the financial helpmay come, but it also may not
(12:22):
come.
But we have to know thatpreparation does not only come
in times when things are okay,when life is going to well, then
now you're like, okay, now I'mready to plan the next year of
my life.
God, what's up?
What's the plan?
What are we doing?
No.
Preparation also comes, and Iwould like to say even most of
(12:45):
the time comes from times when,you are just on the down low.
You are just in a deep rut, andyou're just trying to figure
your way out.
And the Lord is telling you thisis a season of preparation.
This is a season of going toschool, getting that degree.
This is a season of going tolearn that trade.
Yes, I know the people you areliving with abusing you
(13:07):
everyday.
I know your father is abusingyou.
I know your mother is doing thisand that.
I know that the people you areliving with are pounding on you,
but this is a season ofpreparation.
I want you to be here to learnsomething from this home.
I want you to be working at thisplace to learn something about
how a business is run.
I want you to be here to learnsomething about administration.
(13:28):
I want you to stay with thisperson to pick up, maybe, on the
spirit of patience, onendurance, on forbearnce.
And in those moments, It's veryeasy for us to not look at it as
a season of preparation, but asa season of punishment.
So I want us to draw someinspiration from the Bible.
(13:49):
We have someone like Noah.
And God commanded Noah to buildan ark, and he was building this
ark for many, many years beforethe rain came.
Now, I bet you, if many of ushad lived in that time,
including myself, okay?
Including myself cause I'm noteven going to take myself out of
this.
(14:10):
If we had lived in that time,would we have been one of those
people who were saying this mandoesn't know what he's doing?
He's silly.
Like there's no weatherforecasting it's gonna rain.
Why are you carrying anumbrella?
What's wrong with you?
You're out here building a wholeark.
You're not making any sense.
You and both God, you don't knowwhat you're talking about
(14:32):
because my logic, my knowledgethat I've gone to school to
gain, all those degrees that Ihave.
I mean, I've studied theweather, I've done this and this
and that, like you and both yourGod don't know what you're
talking about.
Okay, Noah?
I don't think any rain is comingand even if the rain was coming.
Does he even necessitate a wholearc?
(14:54):
Like how bad can this rain be?
So Noah's obedience to God'sinstructions definitely seemed
irrational to those around him.
And even us when we begin toread the story without knowing
the end.
It's like but God why?
What's up?
But Noah trusted in God's planand he faithfully carried out
(15:18):
the task that he was assigned.
Even though he was ridiculed,even though he was mocked, he
did what the Lord asked him todo because he fully trusted in
God's plan.
And he understood that there's aseasoning when you prepare.
And this is a season where theobjects of your preparation
(15:39):
comes and how much you haveprepared is going to be put to
the test when that time comes.
So we have this story of Noahand many other stories from the
Bible that teach us thatobedience to God demands
stepping into the unknown andtrusting Him completely.
It's during these moments ofsurrender and faith that we
(16:02):
position ourselves to receivethe blessings and opportunities
that God has prepared for us.
So how can we practically applythis wisdom to our lives today?
How can we be prepared whenopportunity knocks and obey God
even when nothing makes sense.
(16:25):
And I think that first, we haveto seek God's guidance through
prayer and meditation on Hisword.
And this is probably going to bemy number one bullet point for
everything that I share on thispodcast, because see if you're
not talking to God, if you'renot getting your plans from God,
if you're not getting the ideasfrom God, then really What
(16:48):
journey are you on?
What path are you walking?
What path are you traveling?
Because if you're not going tospeak to the One who made you,
the One who designed thetrajectory that your life should
follow then what life really areyou going to have?
no matter the situation, nomatter what it is, we have to
(17:09):
first seek God's guidance.
Because it is only by aligningour hearts and our minds with
His that we will positionourselves to recognize, to hear,
and to respond to His leading.
It's one thing to hear God.
Right?
(17:29):
It's another thing to recognizethat it is God speaking.
And this is also another thingto obey that which God is
telling you And the Bible saysthat you are my friends if you
do what I command, if you loveme And I know in my life that
some of my friends, maybe notsome, all my friends.
I have just a very tight groupof friends.
(17:53):
And whenever they talk, I tendto listen.
But that's just friendship hereon earth.
So we margin being friends withGod.
God who unlike my friends knowtomorrow.
God who unlike my friends hereon earth knows everything.
He knows how the decision I'mmaking today, although it may
(18:15):
seem wise, may not seem wise 20years from now.
So imagine having that God asyour friend.
And just following this sweetpath that he's laid out for you.
No Sena, we don't do it thisway.
Let's do it that way instead.
And the thing is, God does nothave to explain himself to us
(18:38):
when He gives us an instruction.
And for people like me, who tendto want to control the
narrative.
You want to plan out your life?
This is not something that sitswell with us.
Because you want to know why.
I'm always asking why.
Why do I have to do it that way?
No, why do I have to do it thisway?
(19:01):
And God does not have toexplain.
Because He's already told you inHis word, that all things will
work together for your good.
And those all things eveninclude the mistakes that you've
made.
So how much more the things thatHe himself is telling you to do.
How much more those things.
(19:21):
Do you think that those thingswill all work together for your
good?
I think they will.
Because He's already given youthat assurance.
That no matter what it is, nomatter what it looks like now,
at the end, it is going to workout for your good.
And so for me, I've come to thispoint where HS, and if you're
(19:44):
new here, HS is the Holy Spiritas I like to call Him.
I'm on the gold to make HS mybest friend.
I mean, I have very tight groupof friends but the goal is to be
one with the Lord.
So that when he speaks, I hear.
So that when he speaks, Irecognize.
So that when he speaks, I'll beprompt to obey.
(20:08):
The other thing that can help uspractically be prepared when
opportunity knocks and obey God,even when it doesn't make sense
is to cultivate the spirit ofsurrender and trust.
And I think I've kind of touchedon this a bit.
But I just want to talk a littlebit about surrendering.
Surrendering means letting go ofour own plans, of our own
(20:32):
desires, and embracing God'splan for our lives.
See, we have to remember thatGod's ways are higher than our
ways o.
He knows what He's talkingabout.
You may meet a 90 year oldtoday.
And in as much as that 90 yearold has so much wisdom that you
(20:53):
will not have until you get tothat age, that 90 year old does
not know everything.
But God, God, the Ancient ofDays.
He that was there beforeeverything.
I mean, He knows, He knows, Heknows, He knows.
And not only does He know,whatever he's telling you to be
(21:16):
prepared for now.
Whatever season He is taking youthrough now, His timing is
perfect.
He knows the best time for youto unveil that business plan.
He knows the best time for youto get married.
He knows the best time for youto get that degree.
(21:37):
He knows the best time for youto get into that company.
He knows the best time for youto meet that person.
He knows the best time to bringthat destiny helper across your
path.
And until we are willing tosurrender and trust him, and let
go of our plans, of our desires,and how we want things to go,
(21:59):
then we are going to miss out.
On the preparation that he'strying to take us through.
And if we miss out on the timeof preparation, then we miss out
on what comes at the end of thepreparation.
The other thing I want to talkabout is that for us to learn to
be prepared when opportunitycomes, we have to develop a
(22:21):
growth mindset.
And this is very in line withthe premise of this podcast as a
whole.
We have to learn to embracechallenges and view them as
opportunities for personal andspiritual growth.
Whatever situation you're goingthrough, whatever season you're
going through.
(22:42):
Yes, you've been unemployed fortwo years now.
Yes, your mother has been sickfor three years now.
We have to lean into God and askHim, what are you trying to
teach me in this moment?
What thing am I supposed to belearning in the season?
How are you using this difficultcircumstance to shape me into
(23:05):
the person that you need me tobecome?
How does what I'm going throughtranslate to benefiting the
Kingdom.
And I think that if we begin todevelop a growth mindset around
everything that is happening inour lives, and not asking why
I'm going through this justbecause you don't want to feel
the pain.
(23:25):
But rather asking how is thisthing going to benefit the
Kingdom?
What am I supposed to belearning Lord in this moment?
I know it's painful.
I know what's hard.
I know it's tough.
I know, it seems like God is noton your side.
I know it seems like God hasforgotten you.
I know it seems like God hasabandoned you.
(23:47):
And I know it seems like eventhough God is bringing other
instructions and you're talkingto Him every day, you're reading
the Word, you're hearing fromHim, you're dreaming dreams, you
are seeing visions, you'rereceiving prophecies.
It seems like that particularthing that you're talking to Him
about, He's just pretending likeHe hasn't heard it.
I know it seems that way.
(24:08):
I know it feels that way.
But can you develop a growthmindset around the situation you
are going through?
Can you develop a growthmindset?
I go my license shortly after Iturned 18 and I did not really
drive after that until Igraduated university.
(24:30):
At the time there was no car forme to drive, but my mom was so
bent on me getting the license.
It's just, you have to get it.
You have to get it.
And it was so frustrating atthat point.
Because I knew she didn't havethe money and it was a sacrifice
for her to be paying$35 an hourfor me to go and learn how to
drive at the time.
(24:52):
And I just had so much anxiety.
I was like, oh my God, I justwant to get this license, you
know, pass because I cannot goand take that test and come home
having failed that that is goingto be drama.
You know, but it was such anannoying season for me because I
did not see why I had to learnhow to drive if I did not have a
(25:12):
car to drive.
And if there was no foreseeablefuture of me getting a car to
drive anytime soon.
But I listened and I went.
And God been so good.
I got that license and Iprobably moved a car maybe two,
three times after that.
It wasn't until four years laterthat my mom was able to get a
(25:35):
new car and she gave me her oldone and a couple months later, I
got my own car.
And all this happened so, soquickly.
It was like, my life was justmoving at a rapid pace once I
got that bachelor's degree.
Everything was just moving sofast.
And you can imagine if I hadn'thad that license, then I would
(25:57):
not have been prepared for thesituation that was coming.
And this is just a minorexample, but there are many
other things that I've gonethrough in life that I can
share, but this episode isalready getting too long.
After I said, I wasn't going totalk much, but I did leave
myself to the Holy Spirit tospeak through me.
And so we've given Him that timeto just do what he has to do and
(26:20):
speak to who He has to speak to.
If my mum did not have thatgrowth mindset of a time is
going to come when you need toknow how to drive.
So you just get your licensenow.
Just have it, just have it, justput it down.
You never know when you're goingto need it.
What matters is that when thetime comes you have it.
And you will have it in theexact moment that it is being
(26:42):
required of you to have it.
When all is said and done,finally, you have to surround
yourself with a supportivecommunity of believers who can
encourage and uplift you on yourjourney.
See this journey of life is noteasy.
It is not easy at all.
And sometimes you're going to gothrough things.
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Sometimes seasons of preparationare not going to make sense to
you.
But it is in staying close topeople who are filled with the
Spirit, to people who have themind of God that you can be
encouraged, that you can bemotivated, that you can be
assured that God has not leftyou.
He is still there.
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He's still watching out for you.
You're His baby and He's goingto take care of you better than
anyone else could better thanyou can take care of yourself.
And He's working all things outfor your good.
He's laying all the plans.
He's laying all the foundations.
And it's all gonna work out.
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As we wrap up today's episode, Iwant you to remember that being
prepared when opportunity comesand obeying God even when
nothing makes sense is anongoing journey.
It's an ongoing journey thatrequires courage.
It requires faith and itrequires a deep relationship
with our Heavenly Father.
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Because without therelationship, without the trust
of the relationship that youhave with Him, it's very easy to
lose hope.
It's very easy to feel likeyou're just doing mundane things
in life.
That you are just going througha routine.
That you're just going through atough time.
That the season you are in, doesnot matter.
That the season you're in has nobenefit to the life that is
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ahead of you.
That what you are going throughhas no relevance to God or to
the kingdom.
But if you lean in to thatrelationship you have with Him.
And you know that this is mylover, this is my friend, this
is my father, this is my savior,this is my Redeemer.
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He's not just going to leave mehanging, then you have something
to hold on to.
And that is the only way you canembrace His plan and embrace the
unexpected opportunities thatare going to come your way.
And so I hope this has inspiredand encouraged you to embrace
God's plan for your life, evenwhen it may seem daunting and
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confusing, even when it may seemunintelligent, unwise, even when
it may seem illogical.
Remember that when you surrenderto his guidance, and you trust
in His wisdom to lead youthrough whatever season you're
going through.
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That is when you positionyourself to receive His abundant
blessings.
And that is when you positionyourself for unimaginable
opportunities.
That is when you positionyourself for the transformative
growth that He has in store foryou.
And truly, ultimately, that iswhen you position yourself to
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walk in purpose and fulfill thatwhich He has called you to do.
I pray that the Lord will helpyou walk in faith.
That He will help you beprepared for the extra ordinary
moments that await you.
And I pray that you willsurrender to Him, your desires,
your plans, your pain, yourdisappointments.
(30:24):
That you will surrender it toHim and tell Him that Lord I'm
going to trust You.
Even though it seems hard inthis season I'm going to trust
You.
Even though it seems like thisthing does not make sense, I'm
going to trust You.
Even though, I don't think it'simportant for me to go get that
degree, for me to go get thatcertificate, I am still going to
(30:44):
go through that three monthcourse just to get it because I
don't know why You're asking meto get it.
But I know and I trust that ayear from now two years from
now, 20 years from now, You'regoing to use this thing that
You're asking me to go get.
And so even though it's painful,it's hard that I'm praying for
others they're getting healed.
(31:06):
Their mothers are gettinghealed, but I'm not, I know that
this is a season You're takingme through.
Even though I'm going to thistime where I've been job
searching for two years, withthree years and nothing seems to
just be working out, I know thatthere's going to be a suddenly,
there's going to be a time wherea shift is going to take place
(31:28):
in my life.
And when that time comes, I'mgoing to be prepared with all
the things that You're teachingme in the season.
And so I'm going to lean on You,Lord.
I'm going to trust You, Lord,I'm going to surrender to You,
Lord.
I'm going to give You my allLord.
And I'm going to let You takecontrol.
And I'm going to let You directthis car to its destination.
(31:53):
I pray that the Lord will helpyou.
That he was establish your path.
And that you will find rest inHim.
And trust that whatever you'regoing through now, it's all in
preparation towards what iscoming.
And so I hope that today, youchoose to be prepared for when
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opportunity comes knocking.
Because the opportunity willcome.
But the question is, are yougoing to be prepared?
And I hope you are.
Until next time, keep thriving!
If you have ever wondered how to be ready when opportunity
comes knocking on your door, andwhat to do in those moments when
God's instructions seem to defylogic, then you should probably
keep listening.
(01:01):
Hey friend, welcome to anotherepisode of Thriving Geng.
Today, we have a powerful topicto explore a subject that
resonates deeply with me, andit's the subject of being
prepared when opportunity comesand the importance of obeying
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God even when nothing makessense.
Life as you and I know it isfull of unexpected moments and
sometimes opportunities knock onour doors when we least expect
them.
And this episode touches on howwe can ensure that we are ready
to seize these moments when theyarise.
(01:46):
So this past week, a friend cameto me.
And a bit of backstory.
A few years ago actually, thisfriend had shared with me that
one of his academic certificatesor diplomas, I should probably
call it, had the wrong spellingof his name on it.
(02:11):
And I remember back then, Iadvised him and I told him, I
think he should probably getthis thing sorted out.
I remember telling him it'sdefinitely important to make
sure that your name on veryimportant documents are spelled
correctly.
Because who knows whatopportunity may arise in the
(02:31):
future that you need to presentthis document.
You just want to make sure thateverything is done properly.
You have all your thingstogether and you don't have to
find yourselves scrambling whenthat time comes.
So I remember we had thisdiscussion many, many years ago.
(02:52):
And just this past week, thisfriend comes to me and was
telling me, Sena, you rememberthis thing you advised me to do?
Yeah, I never followed throughand now I need to get this
document for something and I'venow had to go pay a ton of money
(03:12):
to get things changed quickly.
And I was just thinking tomyself, wow.
We tend sometimes as humanbeings to think that certain
things are irrelevant or maybeirrelevant is too strong a word,
but I think that it's easy forus sometimes to overlook the
minor details and just feellike, well, if that time comes,
(03:36):
I can just talk my way throughit, you know, at the end of the
day, this part of my name isspelled correctly and I mean,
it's my certificate, so I canjust talk my way through it.
And I don't think this is whatthis friend had in mind.
I just think it wasn't apriority to him at the time to
get that thing sorted out.
(03:59):
And unfortunately the situationhe finds himself in now does not
easily allow for you to justsay, oh, well, it's, it actually
is my certificate, you know,just this and this and that
happened and that's why the nameis spelled wrongly.
Like at this point where you aretrying to maybe get into a
(04:19):
certain institution or a certainseason of your life is coming,
there are principles that comewith everything there are
principles that come with everydoor that we go through.
And sweet talking is not goingto get you through those doors.
It is your ability to meets theprerequisites that will get you
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through that door.
So I wanted to do a podcastepisode on this topic of the
importance of being preparedwhen opportunity comes.
But I wasn't quite certain thatthat was what the Lord wanted me
to talk about this week.
But on Wednesday, it was likeevery sermon, every podcast I
(05:00):
listened to in some ways seemedto touch on this topic.
I mean, I was at the office Iwas working and I just had my
airpords in, cause I had to do alot of heads down work.
And every one I listened to.
And I'm talking about threedifferent vessels of God that I
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listened to.
And even if it was just onesentence, it kept coming up.
The fact about being prepared,being prepared, the importance
of obedience in seasons when itdoesn't even make sense, just so
that when something comes uptomorrow, you are prepared, you
are equipped with what you needfor that season.
(05:43):
So I usually record the podcastepisodes on Fridays and just FYI
by the time you hear thisepisode it's probably going to
be about a month after the veryfirst episode.
I just try to give myself a bitof a buffer just because I'm in
grad school, I worked full timeand life gets very tough
(06:04):
sometimes and I just want tomake sure that I'm staying as
consistent as possible.
And so most of these episodesare going to be pre-recorded
unless of course there issomething that's of an urgent
nature that the Lord wants me totalk about.
But other than that, you'regoing to have to be piecing
together parts and pieces of mylife, and I think the mystery of
(06:29):
it is kind of fun, but let meknow if I'm wrong.
So, like I was saying, I usuallyrecord on Fridays.
But as of this past Friday, Istill wasn't certain of what I
wanted to talk about for theweek.
I mean, I have a ton of episodeideas, but they all just didn't
feel right to record.
So during prayer time with myfriends later that Friday night,
(06:52):
the preacher that we had on wassharing about prayer, the
systems of prayer.
And I was really taking in theword I was, you know, I was
learning.
I mean, I received so muchlight, so much insight.
But he said something and it wasjust a couple of sentences that
really dawned on me like, okay,this is something that the Lord
wants me to talk about.
(07:13):
So, you know what, let me obeyand talk about this thing.
So I do not really anticipatefor this episode to be very long
because I really just have a fewthings to say on this topic.
And I think I probably even saidmost of them already.
But it is my prayer that whoeverthe Lord wanted me to record
(07:33):
this for will listen and will dothat which God has instructed
him or her to do.
As Christians, we believe that.
Oh, God has a unique plan foreach of us.
Right?
This is something that we'vebeen talking about in previous
episodes.
We've talked about passion,we've talked about purpose a
little bit.
(07:55):
And we've really emphasized onthe fact that God didn't just
create us and just put us herejust to come in occupy space and
just live our best lives.
He created us with a purpose.
He made us unique.
He had a unique path that Hewanted each one of us to take.
And it's very crucial, I thinkfor us to be prepared and open
(08:19):
to the opportunities that Hepresents to us along the path
that He has set out for us.
And so when we talk aboutopportunity, we talk about
preparation.
Obviously you cannot be readyfor any opportunity that comes
your way if you are not preparedfor it.
Life just doesn't work that way.
(08:41):
But preparation begins withcultivating the right mindset.
A mindset that is not only ago-getter mindset.
Cause I know I'm anover-achiever.
I over plan everything in mylife.
I'm always putting pen to papertrying to just work out little
(09:02):
details and things like that.
But the power of preparationcomes not when you sit down and
you try to plan every minordetail of your life, but it
comes when you acknowledge thesovereignty of God and trust in
His guidance.
Preparation requires awillingness to step out of your
(09:22):
comfort zone even when the pathseems uncertain or conventional.
And as Christians, our feetcause us to obey God's commands,
right?
Even when they don't align withour understanding or they seem
counterintuitive.
Or it's just like God can't Yousee this thing that I'm going
through?
Why are You asking me to go dothis thing and be prepared for
(09:45):
what?
Like, no, I need to figure outthe season that I'm in.
I need to come out of thisseason that I'm in.
I heard one of my fathersProphet Nanasei say a couple of
days ago that When you're in avery deep financial situation,
you have your rent coming up andyou're about to get evicted,
kicked out of your home inprobably a matter of days and
(10:08):
all your prayer is on God sendme a helper.
Lord, send me a helper,financial assistance.
That's what you would bepraying, right?
I mean that's what I would bepraying.
But one thing he said that mademe stop in my tracks was he
said, what if the Lord insteadof sending you a helper gave you
a business plan.
(10:29):
You would immediately feel like,no, I don't have time to start a
business.
Lord this is not the time.
What I need is to pay my rentbefore I get kicked out.
Like, are You going to watch mego homeless?
What is the plan?
Lord, I don't need a businessplan.
What I need is money to pay thisrent so that at least I know I'm
sorted for the next month forthe next couple of months and in
(10:52):
my home country Ghana, we payrents in advance maybe a year or
two, whatever the situation is.
And so your whole focus is justhow do I just get out of the
current situation I'm in.
Without much thought really ofthe long term plan that God has.
And so I want to put thatquestion to you.
(11:13):
If you went in such a situationand the Lord gave you a business
plan, what would your reactionbe?
How would you feel?
I know for me personally, Iwould feel like God is not
hearing me or as sometimes Ihave felt like God is just not
paying attention to me.
Oh, He's just choosing topretend like He has not seen
(11:38):
what I'm going through.
But in that moment, we have toremember that God sees the
beginning and He also sees theend.
He knows what is going to happenfive minutes from now, even as I
record this episode, I don'tknow what I'm going to say five
minutes from now as I recordthis episode or even if I'm
(11:58):
still going to be talking.
But the Lord knows, and this isjust, you know, a tiny minor
picture that I'm trying to painthere.
But God knows why He's askingyou to start that business in
that moment.
And maybe after you take onwhatever business idea He's
giving you, the financial helpmay come, but it also may not
(12:22):
come.
But we have to know thatpreparation does not only come
in times when things are okay,when life is going to well, then
now you're like, okay, now I'mready to plan the next year of
my life.
God, what's up?
What's the plan?
What are we doing?
No.
Preparation also comes, and Iwould like to say even most of
(12:45):
the time comes from times when,you are just on the down low.
You are just in a deep rut, andyou're just trying to figure
your way out.
And the Lord is telling you thisis a season of preparation.
This is a season of going toschool, getting that degree.
This is a season of going tolearn that trade.
Yes, I know the people you areliving with abusing you
(13:07):
everyday.
I know your father is abusingyou.
I know your mother is doing thisand that.
I know that the people you areliving with are pounding on you,
but this is a season ofpreparation.
I want you to be here to learnsomething from this home.
I want you to be working at thisplace to learn something about
how a business is run.
I want you to be here to learnsomething about administration.
(13:28):
I want you to stay with thisperson to pick up, maybe, on the
spirit of patience, onendurance, on forbearnce.
And in those moments, It's veryeasy for us to not look at it as
a season of preparation, but asa season of punishment.
So I want us to draw someinspiration from the Bible.
(13:49):
We have someone like Noah.
And God commanded Noah to buildan ark, and he was building this
ark for many, many years beforethe rain came.
Now, I bet you, if many of ushad lived in that time,
including myself, okay?
Including myself cause I'm noteven going to take myself out of
this.
(14:10):
If we had lived in that time,would we have been one of those
people who were saying this mandoesn't know what he's doing?
He's silly.
Like there's no weatherforecasting it's gonna rain.
Why are you carrying anumbrella?
What's wrong with you?
You're out here building a wholeark.
You're not making any sense.
You and both God, you don't knowwhat you're talking about
(14:32):
because my logic, my knowledgethat I've gone to school to
gain, all those degrees that Ihave.
I mean, I've studied theweather, I've done this and this
and that, like you and both yourGod don't know what you're
talking about.
Okay, Noah?
I don't think any rain is comingand even if the rain was coming.
Does he even necessitate a wholearc?
(14:54):
Like how bad can this rain be?
So Noah's obedience to God'sinstructions definitely seemed
irrational to those around him.
And even us when we begin toread the story without knowing
the end.
It's like but God why?
What's up?
But Noah trusted in God's planand he faithfully carried out
(15:18):
the task that he was assigned.
Even though he was ridiculed,even though he was mocked, he
did what the Lord asked him todo because he fully trusted in
God's plan.
And he understood that there's aseasoning when you prepare.
And this is a season where theobjects of your preparation
(15:39):
comes and how much you haveprepared is going to be put to
the test when that time comes.
So we have this story of Noahand many other stories from the
Bible that teach us thatobedience to God demands
stepping into the unknown andtrusting Him completely.
It's during these moments ofsurrender and faith that we
(16:02):
position ourselves to receivethe blessings and opportunities
that God has prepared for us.
So how can we practically applythis wisdom to our lives today?
How can we be prepared whenopportunity knocks and obey God
even when nothing makes sense.
(16:25):
And I think that first, we haveto seek God's guidance through
prayer and meditation on Hisword.
And this is probably going to bemy number one bullet point for
everything that I share on thispodcast, because see if you're
not talking to God, if you'renot getting your plans from God,
if you're not getting the ideasfrom God, then really What
(16:48):
journey are you on?
What path are you walking?
What path are you traveling?
Because if you're not going tospeak to the One who made you,
the One who designed thetrajectory that your life should
follow then what life really areyou going to have?
no matter the situation, nomatter what it is, we have to
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first seek God's guidance.
Because it is only by aligningour hearts and our minds with
His that we will positionourselves to recognize, to hear,
and to respond to His leading.
It's one thing to hear God.
Right?
(17:29):
It's another thing to recognizethat it is God speaking.
And this is also another thingto obey that which God is
telling you And the Bible saysthat you are my friends if you
do what I command, if you loveme And I know in my life that
some of my friends, maybe notsome, all my friends.
I have just a very tight groupof friends.
(17:53):
And whenever they talk, I tendto listen.
But that's just friendship hereon earth.
So we margin being friends withGod.
God who unlike my friends knowtomorrow.
God who unlike my friends hereon earth knows everything.
He knows how the decision I'mmaking today, although it may
(18:15):
seem wise, may not seem wise 20years from now.
So imagine having that God asyour friend.
And just following this sweetpath that he's laid out for you.
No Sena, we don't do it thisway.
Let's do it that way instead.
And the thing is, God does nothave to explain himself to us
(18:38):
when He gives us an instruction.
And for people like me, who tendto want to control the
narrative.
You want to plan out your life?
This is not something that sitswell with us.
Because you want to know why.
I'm always asking why.
Why do I have to do it that way?
No, why do I have to do it thisway?
(19:01):
And God does not have toexplain.
Because He's already told you inHis word, that all things will
work together for your good.
And those all things eveninclude the mistakes that you've
made.
So how much more the things thatHe himself is telling you to do.
How much more those things.
(19:21):
Do you think that those thingswill all work together for your
good?
I think they will.
Because He's already given youthat assurance.
That no matter what it is, nomatter what it looks like now,
at the end, it is going to workout for your good.
And so for me, I've come to thispoint where HS, and if you're
(19:44):
new here, HS is the Holy Spiritas I like to call Him.
I'm on the gold to make HS mybest friend.
I mean, I have very tight groupof friends but the goal is to be
one with the Lord.
So that when he speaks, I hear.
So that when he speaks, Irecognize.
So that when he speaks, I'll beprompt to obey.
(20:08):
The other thing that can help uspractically be prepared when
opportunity knocks and obey God,even when it doesn't make sense
is to cultivate the spirit ofsurrender and trust.
And I think I've kind of touchedon this a bit.
But I just want to talk a littlebit about surrendering.
Surrendering means letting go ofour own plans, of our own
(20:32):
desires, and embracing God'splan for our lives.
See, we have to remember thatGod's ways are higher than our
ways o.
He knows what He's talkingabout.
You may meet a 90 year oldtoday.
And in as much as that 90 yearold has so much wisdom that you
(20:53):
will not have until you get tothat age, that 90 year old does
not know everything.
But God, God, the Ancient ofDays.
He that was there beforeeverything.
I mean, He knows, He knows, Heknows, He knows.
And not only does He know,whatever he's telling you to be
(21:16):
prepared for now.
Whatever season He is taking youthrough now, His timing is
perfect.
He knows the best time for youto unveil that business plan.
He knows the best time for youto get married.
He knows the best time for youto get that degree.
(21:37):
He knows the best time for youto get into that company.
He knows the best time for youto meet that person.
He knows the best time to bringthat destiny helper across your
path.
And until we are willing tosurrender and trust him, and let
go of our plans, of our desires,and how we want things to go,
(21:59):
then we are going to miss out.
On the preparation that he'strying to take us through.
And if we miss out on the timeof preparation, then we miss out
on what comes at the end of thepreparation.
The other thing I want to talkabout is that for us to learn to
be prepared when opportunitycomes, we have to develop a
(22:21):
growth mindset.
And this is very in line withthe premise of this podcast as a
whole.
We have to learn to embracechallenges and view them as
opportunities for personal andspiritual growth.
Whatever situation you're goingthrough, whatever season you're
going through.
(22:42):
Yes, you've been unemployed fortwo years now.
Yes, your mother has been sickfor three years now.
We have to lean into God and askHim, what are you trying to
teach me in this moment?
What thing am I supposed to belearning in the season?
How are you using this difficultcircumstance to shape me into
(23:05):
the person that you need me tobecome?
How does what I'm going throughtranslate to benefiting the
Kingdom.
And I think that if we begin todevelop a growth mindset around
everything that is happening inour lives, and not asking why
I'm going through this justbecause you don't want to feel
the pain.
(23:25):
But rather asking how is thisthing going to benefit the
Kingdom?
What am I supposed to belearning Lord in this moment?
I know it's painful.
I know what's hard.
I know it's tough.
I know, it seems like God is noton your side.
I know it seems like God hasforgotten you.
I know it seems like God hasabandoned you.
(23:47):
And I know it seems like eventhough God is bringing other
instructions and you're talkingto Him every day, you're reading
the Word, you're hearing fromHim, you're dreaming dreams, you
are seeing visions, you'rereceiving prophecies.
It seems like that particularthing that you're talking to Him
about, He's just pretending likeHe hasn't heard it.
I know it seems that way.
(24:08):
I know it feels that way.
But can you develop a growthmindset around the situation you
are going through?
Can you develop a growthmindset?
I go my license shortly after Iturned 18 and I did not really
drive after that until Igraduated university.
(24:30):
At the time there was no car forme to drive, but my mom was so
bent on me getting the license.
It's just, you have to get it.
You have to get it.
And it was so frustrating atthat point.
Because I knew she didn't havethe money and it was a sacrifice
for her to be paying$35 an hourfor me to go and learn how to
drive at the time.
(24:52):
And I just had so much anxiety.
I was like, oh my God, I justwant to get this license, you
know, pass because I cannot goand take that test and come home
having failed that that is goingto be drama.
You know, but it was such anannoying season for me because I
did not see why I had to learnhow to drive if I did not have a
(25:12):
car to drive.
And if there was no foreseeablefuture of me getting a car to
drive anytime soon.
But I listened and I went.
And God been so good.
I got that license and Iprobably moved a car maybe two,
three times after that.
It wasn't until four years laterthat my mom was able to get a
(25:35):
new car and she gave me her oldone and a couple months later, I
got my own car.
And all this happened so, soquickly.
It was like, my life was justmoving at a rapid pace once I
got that bachelor's degree.
Everything was just moving sofast.
And you can imagine if I hadn'thad that license, then I would
(25:57):
not have been prepared for thesituation that was coming.
And this is just a minorexample, but there are many
other things that I've gonethrough in life that I can
share, but this episode isalready getting too long.
After I said, I wasn't going totalk much, but I did leave
myself to the Holy Spirit tospeak through me.
And so we've given Him that timeto just do what he has to do and
(26:20):
speak to who He has to speak to.
If my mum did not have thatgrowth mindset of a time is
going to come when you need toknow how to drive.
So you just get your licensenow.
Just have it, just have it, justput it down.
You never know when you're goingto need it.
What matters is that when thetime comes you have it.
And you will have it in theexact moment that it is being
(26:42):
required of you to have it.
When all is said and done,finally, you have to surround
yourself with a supportivecommunity of believers who can
encourage and uplift you on yourjourney.
See this journey of life is noteasy.
It is not easy at all.
And sometimes you're going to gothrough things.
(27:04):
Sometimes seasons of preparationare not going to make sense to
you.
But it is in staying close topeople who are filled with the
Spirit, to people who have themind of God that you can be
encouraged, that you can bemotivated, that you can be
assured that God has not leftyou.
He is still there.
(27:24):
He's still watching out for you.
You're His baby and He's goingto take care of you better than
anyone else could better thanyou can take care of yourself.
And He's working all things outfor your good.
He's laying all the plans.
He's laying all the foundations.
And it's all gonna work out.
(27:45):
As we wrap up today's episode, Iwant you to remember that being
prepared when opportunity comesand obeying God even when
nothing makes sense is anongoing journey.
It's an ongoing journey thatrequires courage.
It requires faith and itrequires a deep relationship
with our Heavenly Father.
(28:07):
Because without therelationship, without the trust
of the relationship that youhave with Him, it's very easy to
lose hope.
It's very easy to feel likeyou're just doing mundane things
in life.
That you are just going througha routine.
That you're just going through atough time.
That the season you are in, doesnot matter.
That the season you're in has nobenefit to the life that is
(28:31):
ahead of you.
That what you are going throughhas no relevance to God or to
the kingdom.
But if you lean in to thatrelationship you have with Him.
And you know that this is mylover, this is my friend, this
is my father, this is my savior,this is my Redeemer.
(28:52):
He's not just going to leave mehanging, then you have something
to hold on to.
And that is the only way you canembrace His plan and embrace the
unexpected opportunities thatare going to come your way.
And so I hope this has inspiredand encouraged you to embrace
God's plan for your life, evenwhen it may seem daunting and
(29:16):
confusing, even when it may seemunintelligent, unwise, even when
it may seem illogical.
Remember that when you surrenderto his guidance, and you trust
in His wisdom to lead youthrough whatever season you're
going through.
(29:37):
That is when you positionyourself to receive His abundant
blessings.
And that is when you positionyourself for unimaginable
opportunities.
That is when you positionyourself for the transformative
growth that He has in store foryou.
And truly, ultimately, that iswhen you position yourself to
(30:01):
walk in purpose and fulfill thatwhich He has called you to do.
I pray that the Lord will helpyou walk in faith.
That He will help you beprepared for the extra ordinary
moments that await you.
And I pray that you willsurrender to Him, your desires,
your plans, your pain, yourdisappointments.
(30:24):
That you will surrender it toHim and tell Him that Lord I'm
going to trust You.
Even though it seems hard inthis season I'm going to trust
You.
Even though it seems like thisthing does not make sense, I'm
going to trust You.
Even though, I don't think it'simportant for me to go get that
degree, for me to go get thatcertificate, I am still going to
(30:44):
go through that three monthcourse just to get it because I
don't know why You're asking meto get it.
But I know and I trust that ayear from now two years from
now, 20 years from now, You'regoing to use this thing that
You're asking me to go get.
And so even though it's painful,it's hard that I'm praying for
others they're getting healed.
(31:06):
Their mothers are gettinghealed, but I'm not, I know that
this is a season You're takingme through.
Even though I'm going to thistime where I've been job
searching for two years, withthree years and nothing seems to
just be working out, I know thatthere's going to be a suddenly,
there's going to be a time wherea shift is going to take place
(31:28):
in my life.
And when that time comes, I'mgoing to be prepared with all
the things that You're teachingme in the season.
And so I'm going to lean on You,Lord.
I'm going to trust You, Lord,I'm going to surrender to You,
Lord.
I'm going to give You my allLord.
And I'm going to let You takecontrol.
And I'm going to let You directthis car to its destination.
(31:53):
I pray that the Lord will helpyou.
That he was establish your path.
And that you will find rest inHim.
And trust that whatever you'regoing through now, it's all in
preparation towards what iscoming.
And so I hope that today, youchoose to be prepared for when
(32:14):
opportunity comes knocking.
Because the opportunity willcome.
But the question is, are yougoing to be prepared?
And I hope you are.
Until next time, keep thriving!
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