Jesus did big things. So did his early followers. They spoke boldly, even in the face of violent opposition. They loved enemies, turned the other cheek, gave freely, and laid down their lives for others.

Too often, we find ourselves being people-pleasers instead of God-pleasers. Instead of saying or doing something which honours God but which might be unpopular, we can sometimes downplay our convictions because we don’t to be out-of-step or stir up potential conflict with others.

This can hinder us from serving God in key situations.

The apostle Paul wrote: “Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people?” (Galatians 1:10) Those are good questions for all of us!

How can we adjust our thinking and living to honour God in big situations, just like Jesus and his first followers, instead of letting peer-pressure, timidity or outright disobedience leave us standing in a pool of regret?

Dallas Willard suggests a response: “We cannot behave “on the spot” as [Jesus] did and taught if in the rest of our time we live as everybody else does.”*

His argument is this. Jesus, Paul and others lived consistently. They didn’t just honour God in those big moments when everyone was watching. They honoured God during other times as well. Those other times served as a kind of preparation for the more high-pressure moments. That way, when things got intense, they were able to stay true to their convictions. It was natural to them. They had prepared.

Honouring God in a big situation is 99% preparation.

Let’s say someone wants to run the 100-metre race in under 15 seconds. Would you expect them to do it on the spot? Of course not. They would need serious training and preparation. Or let’s say someone wants to be a nurse. Would you expect them to simply throw on some scrubs and successfully help the person in room 321? Of course not. They would need serious training and preparation.

So it is with discipleship.

Over the next few devotionals I’m going to share some practical suggestions about how to train and prepare.

For now, remember this. Honouring God in a big situation in 99% preparation.

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Notes:

–Sermon. “Preparing to honour God in big situations.” September 17, 2023. Click here.

–*Dallas Willard, The Spirit of the Disciplines: Understanding How God Changes Lives (HarperOne: 1999).

–Bible quotes are from the NIV.