Being prepared… After my conversion I would always ask God what am I supposed to do, what is my purpose? My answer always seemed and seems to be “be prepared.” After 16 + years of trying to figure out what this is for “Be prepared” (Thinking it was for an official position or specific ministry). I finally have a solid answer.
We are, I am, to live such a lifestyle so that I am ready to meet Jesus at every turn, at any moment of the day. This is living in the spirit so I will not fulfill the lusts or the desires of the flesh (Galatians 5:16). When I prepare by getting into God’s presence through prayer, devotions, reading His word and the like I’m being prepared to see God work at every turn in that day. I’m keeping my focus on the cross and putting the world behind me. But not just the cross, I also should be looking toward the resurrected Christ and the blessed hope, the appearing of our great God and Saviour Jesus Christ. (Titus 2:11-14). If I am not walking in this kind of lifestyle I can miss God’s blessings or even worse the ability to bless someone else. If am consumed with worldly desires, e.g. the television, sports or anything that consumes me from seeing God at every turn of that day I am not being prepared for that day.
If we are, or I am prepared to face Jesus every day, then I will be ready when God invites me to join Him in His work. Image if you were looking to find where Jesus was working at your work place, on the bus, at the store, at your school or any place you are or will be going to, and the opportunity arose. You could see a life changed, encouraged, a family or friend reconciled, or something more wonderful than you thought could happen. O what joy and wonderment you could receive if you or I were always prepared to meet Jesus at every turn. Being prepared is not just being prepared for full time ministry but for every day ministry. The lay ministry in which Jesus meets us at a predetermined time with someone in need of His service.
When we or I am prepared for such an occasion I could usher in God’s Shekinah glory and experience the wonderful work of God’s compassion. This is a lifestyle worth living.
Here is a diagram from Henry Blackaby’s ‘Experiencing God’. (http://www.blackaby.net/expgod/ ).
SEVEN REALITIES OF EXPERIENCING GOD
- God is always at work around you.
- God pursues a continuing love relationship with you that is real and personal.
- God invites you to become involved with Him in His work.
- God speaks by the Holy Spirit through the Bible, prayer, circumstances, and the church to reveal Himself, His purposes and His ways.
- God’s invitation for you to work with Him always leads you to a crisis of belief that requires faith and action.
- You must make major adjustments in your life to join God in what He is doing.
- You come to know God by experience as you obey Him and He accomplishes His work through you.
Henry Blackaby’s ‘Experiencing God’. (http://www.blackaby.net/expgod/ ).
Being prepared for the day can help you experience God today.
In Christ,
Greg