Just Go For It!

Nothing Holding Me Back  •  Sermon  •  Submitted
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Ecclesiastes 11:3–6 NASB95
If the clouds are full, they pour out rain upon the earth; and whether a tree falls toward the south or toward the north, wherever the tree falls, there it lies. He who watches the wind will not sow and he who looks at the clouds will not reap. Just as you do not know the path of the wind and how bones are formed in the womb of the pregnant woman, so you do not know the activity of God who makes all things. Sow your seed in the morning and do not be idle in the evening, for you do not know whether morning or evening sowing will succeed, or whether both of them alike will be good.
Calculating perfect conditions guarantees no results
Calculating life’s unknowns is impossible
Stop calculating and just go for it
Calculating perfect conditions guarantees no results
We are now into our third week of 2021. This is usually the time when folks begin wavering with the resolutions they were so amped about. Don’t feel guilty, it has happened to all of us. Like with some New Year’s resolutions, whatever plans we’ve made verbal commitments to God about, some people don’t make a move. What’s the problem? Solomon gives us one of the answers in this passage. In verses 3 and 4, he uses the imagery of weather and it’s affects and a farmer and his work. He first assures his readers that storms and their effects are inevitable, in other words it can’t be avoided. Then he reveals a stark image (quote verse 4). Farming in Israel was not always easy or favorable. Hardship included lack of sufficient water. Made them entirely dependent upon rain in order to have food. Thus what Solomon is getting at, is if a farmer mainly spends time attempting to calculate perfect weather, he will never get started, and certainly will never get any food.
Application: Often times, we can function like this picture. We are trying to calculate what we feel and think are perfect conditions before we attempt to do a thing. This does not mean we never use discernment or judgment about a circumstance. But if we deem for ourselves that our life’s circumstances need to be free from trouble, storms, irritation, etc., we will never get started and certainly won’t see any results. Financial hardship, cantankerous people, danger in the world, covid-19, relationship difficulties, etc. It is like rolling 5 die, and not moving until they all hit the same number. We will never share faith, give more, make better health choices, pursue a new job, do good works that start or expand ministry. Trying to calculate perfect conditions leave us stressed, frustrated, and procrastinating and we’ll never get started and certainly never finish. Can anybody really say from their own wisdom, that this is the perfect and flawless condition?
Calculating life’s unknowns is impossible
See Solomon recognized that to constantly attempt calculating perfect conditions to justify taking action, is like trying to calculate life’s unknowns. Example: Y’all know I love math. The foundation for high level math is Algebra. (I know I’m taking some of y’all back to what y’all have forgotten and may not want to go). An algebraic equation consists of a constant number, coefficient number, variables (which are unknown numbers), and a result. If you have only one variable in one equation, it is easy to determine that variable. But as soon as you put more unknown variables in one equation, there’s no way you can determine any of the variables unless you have as many equations as you do variables. Solomon emphasizes in verse 5, there certain things that are unknown to us, but only known to GOD. He illustrates with the wind and a baby being formed in the womb.
Application: We must learn to accept that there some things we just don’t and won’t know! This is rough! Because this is the equation of my life, and I am more comfortable, bold, excited if I knew and could calculate it. But just because we don’t have all the answers, doesn’t mean that there are no answers! That’s why we must demonstrate Faith in the one who knows all things!
Stop calculating and just go for it
Solomon, what is left to be done? We can’t calculate perfect conditions, because we can’t calculate what we don’t know. What are we to do? Sow!! Stop trying to calculate, because no human is the governor of the success of their labors. Labor in the morning, and don’t hold back in the evening. Success is not yours to determine or calculate!!
Application: See the core of the issue is that often times we are afraid of failing. This is highly understandable, for nobody want’s to deal with the embarrassment of venturing to do something and it fails. But if you let concerns, worries, and fears of failing overwhelm you, we will never do a thing. What’s the solution? Just go for it!! The success or failure of a good work that we’re striving to do by the grace of GOD, is for GOD to determine. Early in life, later in life, just go for it!! Jonathan, in 1 Sam 14:6 recognized this. Jesus just served, in good times, bad times, when folk were responsive, when folk weren’t responsive. Paul says, when we’re doing good work for the Lord, we will reap in due time. Don’t stop or hold back from doing good because you’re not certain of the success of the harvest!! No, but seize every opportunity to do good for the Lord!!! Teach, write that song, give when you have it, encourage them anyway, help, put in your application, call your crush, do something good today for your spouse, etc. Failing happens, but GOD picks his children up from every fall!!
What perfect condition are you waiting on and trying to calculate? How long will we frustrate ourselves at trying to calculate and control what’s unknown? That’s God’s part of the equation. Stop calculating and just go for it Church! Not foolishly, not carelessly, but trusting in GOD working through us. And if it’s supposed to fail, don’t worry about it, GOD will reveal it anyway. But don’t let that hold you back from taking action for GOD, with GOD, and of GOD!! Amen!
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