Whenever we look in the natural for perfect conditions, we will always find a reason—or an excuse—why “now” is not the right time to step out in faith. But when you have a word from God, it is the right time and the perfect condition, regardless of how it looks in the natural.
He who observes the wind will not sow, and he who regards the clouds will not reap. Ecclesiastes 11:4 (NKJV)
The person who is waiting for the perfect conditions or the perfect timing will never step out and begin anything… and will therefore never ultimately fulfill their calling or reap their harvest. “He who observes the wind [waiting for the perfect conditions] will not sow [will not begin the process to do what it takes], and he who regards the clouds [looking for the perfect, natural timing] will not reap [will therefore never see the fruition of reaping a harvest; seeing results].”
Whenever we look in the natural, there will always be a reason—or an excuse—why “now” is not the right time to step out and begin the process. Waiting for everything in the natural to line up for the perfect condition is a sure way to delay (at best) or completely prevent (at worst) the harvest the Lord wants you to receive. The one who waits for certainty will certainly wait… and may never find the conditions perfect enough to get started.
If you wait until the wind and the weather are just right, you will never sow anything and never harvest anything. Ecclesiastes 11:4 (GNB)
Verse six goes on to say:
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 (NKJV)
Rather than waiting on perfect conditions to do anything, fill the day with productivity. Sow in the morning and do not slack off in the evening. “In the morning sow your seed, and in the evening do not withhold your hand.” In other words, do not withhold your hand from doing what you should—or could—be doing, even at inconvenient times. This does not at all mean that we are to work tirelessly around the clock all the days of our life. King Solomon (arguably one of the most successful individuals in history) wrote the following in Psalm 127:2, “It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows; For so He gives His beloved rest.” So it’s not about working around the clock, but neither is it about waiting for the perfect timing and perfect conditions to get started. You can step out right now and begin planting seeds that will produce a significant harvest in your life.
So the question is: What are you waiting for?
The Right Timing & The Perfect Conditions
Most people would say they are waiting on the right timing or the perfect conditions. But what is the right timing? What are the perfect conditions? Here it is:
When you have a word from God, you now have the right timing and the perfect condition… regardless of how it looks in the natural!
Consider the Apostle Peter. Many are familiar with Peter stepping out of the boat and walking on the water. But what caused him to step out of the boat in the first place? It could not have been the natural conditions, because no matter how perfect the conditions could have been, walking on water would still be impossible. The natural conditions—whether favorable or unfavorable—had nothing to do with producing the confidence to step out of the boat. In fact, the conditions were incredibly unfavorable. The Bible says that the boat was already in the midst of a storm. The wind was boisterous. The waves were dangerous, even before Peter stepped out. If he had regarded the wind (which was boisterous) and the waves (which were dangerous) he would not have stepped out of the boat. But Peter had a word from the Lord!
Peter said to Him, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.” And He said, “Come!” And Peter got out of the boat, and walked on the water and came toward Jesus. Matthew 14:28–29 (NASB95)
Peter did not regard the wind or the waves. He stepped out solely on a word from the Lord. And in spite of the unfavorable natural conditions, because he had word from God, he stepped out and did the impossible. Peter walked on water. Natural conditions cannot limit what is possible when you step out in faith on a word from God. Even the impossible becomes possible—regardless of the natural conditions—when you have a word from God.
Are You Observing the Wind or the Word?
He who observes the wind for the perfect timing or perfect conditions will have a hard time stepping out and receiving a harvest. But He who has a word from God will have the faith to step out regardless of the natural conditions. The question is: Are you observing the wind or are you observing the word?
When Peter stepped out of the boat, he did so at the word of the Lord and he walked on the water. But once he was walking on the water toward Jesus, Peter began to pay attention to the natural conditions surrounding him. He took his eyes off of the word he received and began to observe the wind.
But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?” Matthew 14:30–31 (NIV84)
Though Peter initially stepped out of the boat on a word from the Lord, he took his eyes off of the word he received and began to pay attention to the wind. And by doing so, he began to doubt the word of the Lord, and he started sinking. Whenever we take our eyes off of the word of God and onto a natural storm, we begin to falter in our journey toward the destination of the Lord. It’s not only important to begin in faith, it’s important to continue in faith, regardless of the natural circumstances.
Natural conditions cannot dictate what’s possible or impossible, probable or improbable, when you have a word from God.
Consider the following: Regardless of the natural conditions—whether favorable or unfavorable—the impossible (such as walking on water) would still be impossible. Adding favorable conditions to an already impossible situation does not make it more possible. Likewise, adding a boisterous storm does not make it more impossible. That’s the deception of watching and waiting for natural conditions before stepping out in faith. Natural conditions, whether favorable or unfavorable, have no influence over what’s possible with God. Therefore, waiting on natural conditions means waiting for nothing. We are to wait only on the Lord! And when the Lord gives us a word, it’s all we need to step out in faith.
Walk By Faith, Not By Sight
For we walk by faith, not by sight. 2 Corinthians 5:7 (NKJV)
What God has called you to do will always be impossible by natural means. Therefore natural conditions have no influence over the possibility or the probability of fulfilling your calling. So don’t allow the natural to dictate what’s possible. The Bible says, “With God all things are possible” (Mark 10:27) and, “All things are possible to those who believe” (Mark 9:23). Therefore, when you have a word from God, it is absolutely possible. You must believe the word you have received from God, regardless of what’s going on in the natural. For we walk by faith and not by sight. So step out in faith, begin sowing, and receive the harvest God has prepared for you.
When you have word from God, natural conditions cannot dictate what’s possible or impossible, probable or improbable. So don’t limit what God can do in your life by waiting on perfect, natural conditions to step out of the boat. When you have a word from God, you now have the right timing and perfect condition, regardless of how it looks in the natural.
So what are you waiting for?
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Tristan Fenholt 