READY OR NOT
Micah Smith
Today’s Scripture: “For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.” Acts 2:39, ESV
Theme: Baptism isn’t about being your best or perfect; it’s about obedience.
THE PRESIDENT WHO WASN’T READY
On April 12, 1945, Harry Truman became the 33rd president of the United States, and not under the circumstances anyone in politics dreams about. He had been Vice President for only 82 days when Franklin D. Roosevelt died of heart complications. World War II was nearing its climax in Europe, the war in the Pacific was raging, and the shape of the post-war world was at stake.
By most accounts, Truman and FDR met privately just twice during those 82 days. He had virtually no briefings on military operations or foreign strategy. He hadn’t even been told about the atomic bomb project. I can only imagine the anxiety of being handed the job of the President of the United States with that little preparation. While he may not have felt like he had all the hand-offs and preparation he needed, he was obedient to serve his country to his best ability... even reportedly telling reporters the next day - “If you ever pray, pray for me now.”
NO WAITING PERIOD
How often does “not being fully ready” become our excuse or our out? Philip could have used it. In Acts 8, an angel tells him to go south on the desert road from Jerusalem to Gaza. He could have said, “I just got back. I need a minute to rest.” Instead, he went. On that road, he met an Ethiopian eunuch and, still listening to the Spirit, was prompted to share the Gospel with him.
The eunuch had every excuse to say, “That sounds great. Let me think on it and get back to you.” He was a foreigner, an outsider who was literally “far off,” just like the people Peter describes in Acts 2:39. He had no church background and no training. But the moment he saw water, he said, “Look, here is water! What prevents me from being baptized?” He wasn’t ready by any human checklist. He was obedient to what he had just learned.
Baptism has never been a graduation ceremony for people who have it all together... and spoiler alert, you’ll still feel like you don't have it “all together” even after being baptized. Peter’s call in Acts 2 comes before any cleanup period. Readiness doesn’t come first. Obedience does.
Make It Personal: What step of obedience have you been putting off until you feel more ready? Maybe it’s baptism. Maybe it’s a conversation, a commitment, or an invitation God keeps nudging you to offer. “Not yet” can sound like wisdom when it’s really fear. If you’ve never been baptized, what is standing in the way? If you have already been baptized, whose “Here is water” moment might you encourage?
Pray: Father, thank You that Your promise is for all of us, including those who feel far off or unprepared. Forgive me for the times I’ve called my hesitation “waiting for readiness.” Give me the courage of Philip to go when You say go, and the humility of the eunuch to say “Yes” to what I’ve already heard. Help me trust that You equip those You call. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Read: Acts 8:26-40, Acts 2:37-41
Weekly Memory Verse: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” Matthew 28:19, ESV