In a tennis lesson many years ago, the teaching pro called me to the net for some instruction. One of the things he taught me was the importance of being in position to hit the next shot. I was trying to get into position after he hit his shot, and, obviously, rather than hitting a good return shot, I was hitting reactionary shots. Reactionary shots are hit with poor foot foundation, producing weak hits and mishits resulting in losing. Bad positioning brings failure! One of the big things you miss in tennis when you are out of position is bad focus and visual perspective. That may sound complicated but it basically means, "you can't hit what you aren't seeing!" The same is true in golf, which I have played much more than tennis, because I gave up on tennis! Concentration is critical to playing your best. But again, being in the right position has much to do with concentration, what you see, and success.
Nothing is more important in our walk with God than being in position. Being in the right place at the right time is something we hear about people in all arenas of life and especially in their careers. Someone will excel in an area or their careers will seem to explode into great success overnight. Very few people get anywhere quickly or easily. We tend to only see what appears to be instant success. Yet, even though lifelong preparation and hard work lead to success, there is much to be said about being in the right place at the right time. Hard work alone doesn't guarantee success. You must be in position when the right moment arrives. Now my point today. Walking with God is much about allowing God to place us in position for His plan for our success. Notice I said, "His plan for our success." None of us are smart enough or wise enough to see far enough down the road to be able to be in correct position for our next promotion. Walking successfully with God is much more difficult than getting in position to hit the next tennis or golf shot. We also don't see instantly if our positioning was successful or not, as in sports.
When the Lord places us in His position, it is often designed to have us ready for an assignment down the road and not immediate. As a matter of fact, one position may not be the real and final assignment for God's plan for our lives. That temporary position can even seem difficult, and we often question these uncomfortable and unfulfilling assignments. Even as you are reading this, it is hard not to think of Joseph in the Bible. He was sold into slavery by family in order that he might be in position to redeem them at a later date. Some scholars call his story, "From Prisoner to Prince." Can you imagine seeing everything you ever believed and hoped for fail and get worse? Yet, Joseph remained focused not on his promotion or demotion but on knowing and hearing and obeying God. From that place of a surrendered life and love toward God, he was in position to accept his ultimate position of purpose when it came. I wonder how many have given up before the promise and the purpose came? Again, we must look hard at positioning in this lesson. Positioning is dependent upon our ability to hear and obey much more than our need to understand. Our insistence upon understanding can be a hindrance to correct positioning.
Now a practical thought. When Teresa and I moved to St. Augustine Beach, a part of the thought process was "hurricanes hit beaches." While living at the beach is a wonderful experience there are negatives as well. So, when storms come and you have to sandbag and run, there is a temptation to question where we live. Yet, God had made it clear to both of us that this was His positioning. Or, when you find yourself in spiritual situations where you wonder about your fruitfulness, you have to look back at your positioning. Today's position is determined by yesterday's positioning. When the moment of God's unfolding plan arrives, you must already be in position. If you positioned yourself based upon what you wanted or what you thought rather than what God said, it's usually too late to get into position.
As we enter a new year, it's always a good time to hold a personal inventory. Begin this new year with a fresh commitment to seek and follow God's positioning. Some may need to make some life adjustments to get there, but most will simply need to commit to a more sensitive hearing and being. Then, when in position, be steadfast in that last word that you heard from Him and wait and serve in faith.
