My short-lived football career started and ended in Junior High School. It was there I made the momentous decision to try out for the team, and I was successful. I made the squad and actually played in a few games. Unfortunately, when my name was mentioned over the loud speaker system during a game, it became associated with the word “fumble” and that never helps in career development. Clearly I was not ready to play football, but I was willing.
Years later, when I enrolled at SMU in Dallas in the School of Journalism, I found out that I was not ready (again) but very willing (again). In time, and with several classes, my willingness turned into readiness and I landed a job in the Dallas journalism market. In that same time frame, I had no concept of readiness for marriage, but I was certainly willing. I proposed to a wonderful girl who was patient and forgiving, and in time I caught on to the role of husband and father. Not ready, but willing.
I find it interesting that Jesus prefers the willing to the ready when it comes to Christian discipleship. So few of his followers, if any, were actually ready to join his movement, but there seems to have been a willingness that Jesus could shape and use. Go down the list of disciples: Thomas, Andrew, Peter…no one was ready when he or she heard the call. But they were willing. So, help me understand why so many tell me that they can’t (or won’t) follow Jesus because “I’m not ready, yet.” What do you need, a degree, a certificate? The good news of discipleship is that you don’t have to have credentials, just courageous conviction and a willing spirit. OJT is part of the package.
Jesus calls the willing, not the ready, and by grace our willingness turns into readiness.
Shining Spirit 
Willing but not sure I’m able.