RESET AND RENEW: I'M PREPARED FOR NEXT

Grace and Peace My Ekklesia Family

God has already prepared you for what's coming next—your job is to align with His preparation, not create your own.

"For I know the plans I have for you," says the LORD. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope." — Jeremiah 29:11 (NLT)

"And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them." — Romans 8:28 waiting.

"Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." — Philippians 1:6 (NIV)

"Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?" — Isaiah 43:18-19 (NIV)

WHAT IT MEANT THEN

When Jeremiah penned these words, Israel was in captivity. They had lost everything—their land, their temple, their identity. They were exiles in Babylon, surrounded by chaos and uncertainty. Yet God spoke through the prophet with a message that defied their present reality: I know the plans I have for you.

This wasn't generic motivation. This was divine declaration. The Hebrew word for "plans" is machashabah—intentional thoughts, designed strategies, purposeful blueprints. God wasn't winging it. He had already mapped out their future before they could see past their pain.

And here's the kicker: God told them to settle in Babylon. Build houses. Plant gardens. Pray for the city. In other words, live fully in the preparation phase. Don't waste your waiting. The "next" they were headed toward required the discipline of the "now."

WHAT IT MEANS NOW

Let's be honest—most of us hate transition. We hate the in-between. We want to skip the prep and get to the promise. But God doesn't operate like a microwave; He moves like a master chef. And right now, He's been prepping you.

That job you lost? Prep.

That relationship that ended? Prep.

That season of silence? Prep.

That financial squeeze? Prep.

God hasn't forgotten you. He's been positioning you. Refining your character. Rewiring your mindset. Recalibrating your faith. You've been in the kitchen with the Master, and He's about to serve up something you didn't even know you were hungry for.

But here's where we mess up: we think preparation means we sit around and wait passively. No. Preparation is active obedience. It's stewarding what you have now. It's doing the small things with great faithfulness. It's praying when you don't feel like it. It's forgiving when it still hurts. It's showing up even when no one's watching.

You're not stuck. You're being set up.

The enemy wants you to believe you're off course, but God says, "I'm right on schedule." The Shift isn't just a church vision—it's a personal reset. A spiritual recalibration. A kingdom realignment. And God has already prepped you for what's next.

So what do you do with this word?

• Stop panicking. God's got this. Your anxiety doesn't add one inch to your destiny.

• Stop comparing. Someone else's "next" isn't your blueprint. God's plans for you are custom-designed.

• Start aligning. What has God been speaking to you in the quiet? What have you been ignoring because it seemed too small or too hard? Obey that.

• Start trusting. Faith isn't about knowing the details. It's about knowing the One who holds them.

You've been prepared. You've been positioned. Now it's time to step.

Let's Pray...

Father, I thank You that You see what I cannot see. You know what I do not know. And even when I feel unprepared, You remind me that You have already gone before me. Forgive me for doubting Your timing. Forgive me for believing the lie that I'm not ready. Today, I surrender my need to control the outcome and I submit to Your process. Reset my mind. Renew my spirit. Prepare my heart to receive what You've already prepared for me. I trust You, not because I see it, but because I know You. In Jesus' name, Amen.

If you've been waiting for a sign that you're ready—this is it. But being ready doesn't mean going alone. God designed you for community, for discipleship, for accountability. At Ekklesia Christian Life Ministries, we're not just about Sunday services—we're about life transformation. We're walking into The Shift together, and we'd love for you to walk with us.

If you don't have a church home, we'd be honored to be your family. If you're ready to go deeper with Jesus, let's do this together. Visit us at ekklesiachristianlife.org and take your next step.

Because the truth is: you're prepared for next, but you're not meant to walk it alone.

LoveUmorethanUknow

Stephän Kirby, Pastor, Ekklesia Christian Life