In the biblical text of Luke 5:6-7, Luke gives us a synopsis of how Peter had toiled all night to catch some fish, but his efforts proved futile. I believe Peter was frustrated about his inability to catch some fish because he was a skilled fisherman. We can see his frustration when he uttered these words to Jesus; "And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless, at thy word, I will let down the net (Luke 5:5 KJV)". When Jesus came into the scene, these were his words to Peter "launch into the deep and let down your nets for a draught." Peter was adamant about Jesus's instruction and strategy. Still, when he followed through, his net broke because he caught so many fishes.
Peter has to call his fellow fishermen for help because his net could not contain the number of fish that he caught. What is so shocking is that Peter was not prepared for what Jesus had in store for him. Peter's lack of preparedness cause him to lose some fish, thus money. Many opportunities have been lost because of a lack of preparation. It is sad to say many people are waiting on God for their purpose to manifest without doing anything. For your purpose to manifest, it will involve you and God and not God alone. They are just there idle and in limbo, waiting on God. "Opportunity comes to the prepared man or person."
In between where God is taking you, and the promise is a process that comes in many forms and sometimes results in hardships. It is in the process that you prepare for where you are going. You must not allow the process to deter you away from your purpose. Even though the process may be hard, you must be sturdy and let it propel you into your purpose. The hardship is part of the process, but it is so unfortunate that many focus on the hardship instead of the promise. It is also imperative that you don’t forget the promise amid the hardship. I am yet to see someone who has achieved something without going through the process.
The hardship is part of getting you into the promised land. You also use the time you are in the process to prepare for the promised land. Unlike Peter, he was not even prepared when he was going through a hard time catching the fish. We must take a cue and learn that it is necessary to prepare in your process. Many people avoided the process and forfeited their purpose because it was unbearable. One thing that I know for sure is that God gives us grace and carries us through every challenge. Giving up should not be an option, and you must go through it to the finish line. Remember that God rewards the faithful, and nothing you go through will be wasted. If God should just usher you into your purpose, it will be a disaster because you are not equipped for it. It is in the process that you become equipped for the purpose. We all see in the news that people win millions in the lottery or inherit it, yet still, they lose everything and become broke. The reason is that those people who lost the millions have no capacity and preparation to handle that.
Many of us find ourselves in the same predicament as Peter, we have toiled, and there is nothing to show our fruits of labor. And we also do not have the capacity, nor have we prepared for what God has in store for us. It is also unfortunate and sad that many people want the promise but not the process. Another example of someone who went through the process in the bible is Joseph. I believe we are all familiar with his story. His brothers sold him into slavery, and his master's wife lied on him about raping her. And all that Joseph went through was part of the process of his promise thus purpose. We are all also aware of how his process ended; God rewarded him, and he became the prime minister of Egypt. Is it not a sweet ending for Joseph, all that he went through was not wasted, but God used it for his glory (please read Genesis 37, 39,40,41, 42,43,44, and 45)?
So how then do you prepare in the process for your purpose:
1. Know the purpose God has for your life.
2. Get a mentor or associate with people doing the same thing God has called you to do.
3. Get educated on your purpose: watch videos, take courses, attend conferences and buy books about your purpose.
4. Write your purpose in your journal and set some time aside to read and imagine it coming to fruition. Do this exercise several times till it becomes ingrained in your mind.
In summary, lack of preparation for your purpose can cost you a fortune, just like Peter, who lost some fish. At all costs, avoid not being prepared for your promise. God can do a suddenly and give you a strategy, just like when he told Peter to "launch into the deep." The question I will ask you is, "are you ready to "launch into the deep" to your purpose. I hope and pray this article will challenge you to stay prepared.