Every great journey begins with a season of preparation. Before stepping into the fullness of your calling, there’s a process—a time of shaping, refining, and molding. Often, it’s not glamorous. It’s messy, humbling, and sometimes uncomfortable. But this season is where the foundation of your purpose is laid.
In this second installment of the Shift Into Legacy series, we’re diving into The Preparation: Embracing the Process of Becoming. If you’ve ever felt like you’re stuck in the in-between, know that you’re not alone—and this is where God is doing His most profound work in you.
1. The Wilderness is Necessary
Think about the great figures in the Bible. Moses spent 40 years in the desert before leading the Israelites out of Egypt. David tended sheep in obscurity long before he wore the crown of Israel. Even Jesus Himself spent 40 days in the wilderness before starting His public ministry.
The wilderness isn’t punishment—it’s preparation. It’s where God refines your character, teaches you to rely on Him, and equips you for the challenges ahead.
In my own life, I’ve had wilderness seasons where I felt hidden and unproductive. But looking back, I see how God was teaching me lessons I’d need for the road ahead. He was building resilience, deepening my faith, and sharpening my gifts.
If you’re in a wilderness season, take heart. God isn’t wasting this time. He’s shaping you into the person you need to be to fulfill your calling.
2. Trusting God’s Timing
Preparation requires patience, and patience isn’t always easy. When you feel ready to leap forward but God says, “Not yet,” it can be frustrating.
But here’s what I’ve learned: God’s timing is perfect. Rushing ahead of Him often leads to unnecessary pain and setbacks. Think of Joseph in the Bible. After receiving a dream of greatness, he endured betrayal, slavery, and imprisonment before stepping into his destiny as a leader in Egypt.
What sustained Joseph through those years? His trust in God. He believed that the same God who gave him the dream would bring it to fulfillment at the right time.
If you’re tempted to rush the process, remember this: Waiting on God is never wasted time. Every delay has a purpose.
3. Preparation is Often Hidden Work
In our social media-driven world, it’s easy to feel like every step of your journey should be visible and celebrated. But some of the most important work happens in the hidden places—behind the scenes where no one is watching.
For me, this looked like writing blog posts that only a handful of people read, leading small Bible study groups, and counseling friends one-on-one long before I ever launched a public platform.
It’s in the hidden work that God hones your skills and purifies your motives. Are you willing to do the work, even if no one is clapping for you yet?
4. The Tools for Your Journey
Every season of preparation equips you with tools for the journey ahead. These tools often come in the form of skills, experiences, relationships, or even hardships.
For example, the years I spent navigating motherhood while balancing a career taught me time management and empathy—two skills I now use in ministry and coaching. The struggles I faced gave me a well of wisdom to draw from when helping others.
What tools are you picking up in this season? It could be the patience learned from dealing with a difficult situation, the strength built in enduring challenges, or the wisdom gained from seeking God’s guidance.
5. Embracing the Process
Preparation is about more than just enduring the process—it’s about embracing it. This doesn’t mean you have to love every hard moment, but it does mean recognizing the value in it.
In Romans 5:3-4, Paul reminds us:
“We also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.”
Each step of the process is producing something in you that’s necessary for your purpose.
Reflection Questions
- What season of preparation are you in right now?
- How can you see God working in the hidden places of your life?
- What tools or lessons is God equipping you with for your calling?
Take some time to journal your answers. Often, clarity comes when we reflect intentionally.
Conclusion: Becoming is Beautiful
The process of preparation isn’t always easy, but it’s essential. It’s where you become. It’s where God shapes you, molds you, and prepares you to step into your legacy.
So, if you’re in a season of preparation, take heart. God is with you, working in you and through you. And when the time comes, you’ll be ready—not because you rushed ahead, but because you allowed Him to prepare you.
Let’s embrace the process of becoming together.
Stay tuned for the next blog post in this series, where we’ll explore the courage it takes to step out of your comfort zone and into your calling. Until then, keep trusting, keep growing, and keep preparing for the legacy God has for you.
Call to Action:
- Share this blog post with someone who’s in a season of waiting or preparation.
- Join the conversation in the comments: What’s one lesson you’ve learned in your season of preparation?
- Subscribe to the Shift Into Legacy series so you don’t miss the next installment!
