Are You Ready For What God Wants To Do Through You?

We’ve all experienced moments when life shifts quickly — an opportunity opens, a relationship changes, a new challenge arises. The question isn’t whether change will come. The question is: will we be ready when it does?

James 4:8 offers a simple but powerful invitation:

“Come near to God and he will come near to you.”

Preparation in God’s kingdom isn’t about stocking up on resources or perfecting our skills. It starts with proximity. The closer we draw to Jesus, the more He shapes our hearts to handle what lies ahead. Spiritual readiness begins with surrender.

But surrender isn’t passive. James 4:7 challenges us to take action:

“Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”

Preparation looks like submission. It’s saying “yes” to God’s way even when it costs us something. It’s resisting the enemy’s lies that try to distract and derail us. It’s intentionally choosing humility, because James 4:6 reminds us that “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.”

This kind of preparation clears the clutter from our hearts. It makes room for the Holy Spirit to work deeply in us, so He can work powerfully through us.

James 3:18 paints a beautiful picture of the fruit that comes when we live prepared lives:

“Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.”

The harvest doesn’t come by accident. It comes from hearts that have been cultivated by God — hearts that are ready to plant seeds of peace, truth, and love wherever He sends them.

So, what does preparation look like practically? It looks like:

• Drawing near to God daily, not just in crisis.

• Letting go of selfish ambitions and choosing humility.

• Resisting the lies that say we’re unqualified or unprepared.

• Trusting that when we submit to God, He equips us for every good work.

Jesus is not looking for perfect people. He’s looking for prepared people — hearts ready to respond, hands open to serve, lives surrendered for His purpose. The Holy Spirit is faithful to guide, empower, and equip those who make themselves available.

The question is not just “Is God ready to move?”
The deeper question is: are we prepared for what God wants to do through us?

1. What does “drawing near to God” practically look like in your everyday life?
   Share some personal habits or moments that help you feel close to God.

2. Why do you think humility is such a key part of preparing for God’s purpose?
   How have you seen pride get in the way of God’s work in your life or others’?

3. James 4:7 says to “resist the devil.” What are some common lies or distractions that make us feel unprepared to be used by God?
   How can we recognize and resist them?

4. Think about a time when you felt spiritually ready for a challenge or opportunity.
   What helped prepare you in that season, and how did you see God work through it?

5. What is one area of your life right now where you sense God inviting you to prepare — whether through surrender, trust, or action?
   How can our group support and pray for each other in those areas this week?