Preparing to Launch into a New Season
By Cathie Ostapchuk
As I enter September, I carry both anticipation and a sense of dread. What if I don't have enough to meet the demands of a new ministry season? What if my people need more than I can give them? What if… what if… what if…?
There’s something sacred about the threshold of a new season. Whether it’s the return to routine after summer, the start of ministry rhythms, or a fresh initiative that’s stirring in your heart—transitions invite preparation.
But preparation is more than productivity. It’s more than lining up your planner, setting goals, or colour-coding your calendar. I need the reminder – and perhaps you do too – that true preparation—soulful, sustainable preparation—begins within.
We often rush into new seasons fueled by pressure: to prove, to perform, to produce. But what if the call isn’t to hustle, but to anchor? What if the preparation God is inviting you into is about being rooted, not just ready?
Jesus modelled this kind of preparation. Before He launched His public ministry, He withdrew. He fasted. He prayed. He heard the voice of His Father say, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” (Matthew 3:17) Before He did anything for God, He was reminded of who He was to God.
What if you entered this new season the same way?
Instead of striving, begin with stillness.
Instead of comparison, choose clarity.
Instead of anxiety, cultivate alignment.
Ask yourself:
What needs to be released before I can receive what’s next?
What rhythms will keep me grounded when things speed up again?
What is God whispering about how to lead this season—not just the last one?
Leading well doesn’t mean having all the answers. It means having the courage to prepare your heart before preparing your schedule. To sit with the Father before standing before the crowd. To quiet the noise so you can hear the next step.
You don’t need to launch perfectly. You just need to launch from a place of peace.
So take the time. Tend to your soul. Let the Spirit reorder your priorities. And trust that when your preparation is rooted in God’s presence, your leadership will bear fruit—in season and out.
You were made for this. Just begin—anchored, aligned, and assured.