Am I really ready for this?

Am I really ready for this? Am I ready to follow Jesus? Sadly, many believers will never come to the point of even asking this question simply because it does reveal their wavering heart. No one wants to appear fickle, so the question, and the commitment, are avoided altogether. But let’s consider that for a moment. Who among us is really ready to be emptied and laid low in the dust, dead and buried? Honestly? Certainly not me and probably not you either.

They weren’t ready either

Blogger Mary C. Weisenburger, on her Website https://minutemeditationswithmary.weebly.com, in an article entitled Are We Ever Ready for Jesus? provides reassurance for you if you’re not sure you’re ready to make this level of commitment to Jesus. The right question to ask yourself is, am I willing? Might be surprising to learn from the writer’s article (taken from a work by Ronald Rolheiser) that even Jesus’ closest disciples in Scripture weren’t fully ready to follow Him either!

“Jesus called Nathaniel…Nathaniel lacked openness. Nathaniel wasn’t ready.
Jesus called Philip…Philip lacked simplicity.  Philip wasn’t ready.
Jesus called Simon, the Zealot…Simon lacked non-violence.  Simon wasn’t ready.
Jesus called Andrew…Andrew lacked a sense of risk. Andrew wasn’t ready.
Jesus called Thomas…  Thomas lacked vision.  Thomas wasn’t ready.
Jesus called Judas…  Judas lacked spiritual maturity.  Judas definitely was not ready.
Jesus called Matthew… Matthew lacked a sense of social sin. Matthew wasn’t ready.
Jesus called Thaddeus…Thaddeus lacked commitment.  Thaddeus wasn’t ready.
Jesus called James the Lesser…James lacked awareness. James wasn’t ready.
Jesus called James and John, the Sons of Thunder…James and John lacked a sense of servanthood. James and John were not ready.
Jesus called Peter, the Rock…Peter lacked courage. Peter was not ready.
​The point, you see, is that Jesus doesn’t call the ready. Jesus calls the willing! That is a consoling thought because the heavy responsibilities of adulthood and the narrow gate of discipleship generally call us before we are really ready.’ (taken from ‘Sacred Fire’ by Ronald Rolheiser)”

He knows the heart of man

If we look closely at all the scripture, did Jesus ever demand that anyone be completely ready before choosing to follow Him? Nope. Jesus knew the heart of men and that none were ready to follow Him. No man, no woman, no child. None! Some might have said they were ready, but Jesus knew the truth. So what was Jesus looking for, if not readiness? There were no other expectations from Jesus for those drawn to Him, other than a willingness. No need for an impressive résumé, no list of character references, no notable accomplishments. In fact, all had plenty of failures and flaws!

So, this leads you to the right question to ask today, while candidly acknowledging you’re not ready: Is there at least a willingness in me? Are you willing to follow, even after acknowledging you don’t feel worthy, capable, good enough, or in other words – ready?

Maybe you’ll identify with a prayer like this:

“You know, I think I’m willing to make a change. I want my life to mean something. I hunger to genuinely walk out my belief. I’m thankful for my eternal salvation, but I want to drink in that eternal life right now, to be changed. I want the Christ that saved me to be more fully formed in my being from this day forward in the thoughts and intentions of my heart, in my choices, in my pursuits, in my relationships, and in my vision. I want to be good soil into which Christ will sow His seed, that I may go and grow with Him where He leads, even though He isn’t physically by my side. I want what’s next with Jesus.”

Willingness is the place to begin. If you’re a believer it means you recognize a deeper need and you want to satisfy that deeper longing with Jesus. It doesn’t come without uncertainties though! If you had no uncertainties, then you would be ready, but you’re not. People are insecure by nature. Deep down inside, you’ll acknowledge this at some level. We all have our fears, doubts, insecurity, etc. You’re willing but, yes, still wandering in uncertainty.