By Jasmine Perdue

“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways, says the Lord.”  Isaiah 55:8

So I had company coming over at 6:00. It was 4:30 and I was just starting to assemble the cake that I was making. I had made this cake a million times before. It is delicious, easy, and a great go-to cake when in a hurry. Typically I would have greased my baking pan and then floured it before pouring in my cake batter. It helps to keep the cake from sticking when time to flip it on to my cake stand. Well I have never had any issues before, and like I said, I was already running short on time. I thought instead of greasing and flouring the pan, I would just coat it extra heavy with Pam cooking spray. So I took the cake out of the oven around 5 and didn’t let it cool (also a skipped step) before flipping it out of the pan. Well, to my surprise the whole cake ended up being an absolute crumbled mess. Here it was less than one hour before company arrived, and all I had to show for it was a cake that I was absolutely humiliated to serve. So in a panic, I rushed to the store to grab some vanilla ice cream and a chocolate chip cookie mix. I knew that would be a quick and delicious plan B.

As I was driving to the store frustrated and pondering why this happened I remembered that I had decided to skip steps. Now those skipped steps ended up costing me more time and stress by having to start completely over.

Then within seconds I felt the Lord say to me, “Jasmine you can’t skip steps and expect to get the desired results”. Suddenly, I was not frustrated anymore, but thankful for the lesson that God had shown me in that moment through my mistakes.

How many times do we wish we could just rush through the lesson and get to the results? How many times are we in a trial and do everything we can in our own strength to get out of it? How many times do we grow impatient and ponder what steps could be skipped to get us to the blessing? How many times do we think God needs our help? Ouch!!!

Just like skipping steps ruined my cake, skipping steps in our spiritual lives can cause us to crumble.

God knows what we need and when we need it! He knows what ingredients and steps are needed to get you ready for the next assignment. He knows when you may need a little more faith in the testing. He may have you wait a little longer so you grow in patience. He may see that you need a little more self-control with your tongue. He may see that you need a little dash of love in your heart for your coworker. He is always orchestrating the next season of your life and He will make sure He does not skip any necessary steps to prepare you for that season.

God knows what He is doing!

What sometimes what seems to us to be a waste of time is actually God’s precise prepping time for the recipe of success.

You see if God decided to skip steps in the prepping process with us, we would crumble in the next season of life He brings our way. We do not know what tomorrow may bring into our lives, but praise God–He does! He is already preparing you for what tomorrow will bring. The Lord does not want you to crumble. He wants you to be strong and prepared. Even in our frustration and impatience with Him, He takes His time to ensure we are equipped for the victory.

Aren’t you glad that the Lord does not skip steps with us and watch us crumble under the pressure?

Isaiah 55:8 says, “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways, says the Lord.”

I am thankful that the Lord does not always give me what I want when I want it. I am thankful that His ways are not always my ways! I am thankful that His timing is not my timing! I can look back so many times in my life and think, “What if God had given me what I wanted? What a mess my life would be.” I am thankful that as His child, I can rest in knowing that He knows what I need and when I need it. He knows every step to the recipe of Jasmine’s life. He will not let me crumble if I am willing to let Him decide what ingredients I need and how long I need to be prepped.

So next time you think about skipping some steps whether in cooking or in a trial, I hope you will remember that steps=success! Use that opportunity to thank the Lord for not skipping steps in prepping you for victory in the next season of your life!