Preparing for What Is Yet to Come

If you are in professional sports, you don’t just run out on the field and start playing. There is a lot of preparing that needs to be done. You need to get to know your teammates and learn their strength, weaknesses, and habits. You need to learn the plays so that when you are on the field, you will know what is expected of you. You need to practice things over and over until they get to be second nature. You need to strength train for power and endurance, depending on the sport you are in. There is a lot that needs to be done before you step out onto the field against another team. I think many jobs have their own share of things that must be done in order to operate at peak performance. Why is it that so often we don’t see that in our own Christian walk? There are many who claim to be followers of Jesus, but they go through life without any real preparation. How can we prepare each day? We can offer up a prayer of thanksgiving that God brought us through the night. Even before stepping out of bed, we can ask God to direct our thought, our actions, and our hearts. If possible, it is good to have some devotion time with the Lord. This might include a book that has mini-messages, or even someone that writes words to encourage us in our Christian faith. I think it is important to make sure the Bible is the main text we use in any sort of devotional. People can have good things to say that challenge and encourage us, but God’s instruction in His Word is priceless. Throughout the day, we can be lifting up short prayers as needs and praises come to mind. Especially if we get the opportunity to visit with someone, we need to ask the Holy Spirit to lead us in that interaction. This preparation is especially important when it comes to worship. To get the most out of the service, it starts long before we get there. We can lift up the pastor and musicians, that they might lead us in this time of worship. Praying for the pastor throughout the week can be important as we want God to speak through him. We can be praying that God would prepare our hearts to receive the message that is given and fill our hearts with a passion and desire to meet Jesus there. We can also lift up those worshiping with us. Prepare... then let God lead. Holy Spirit, help us to always be prepared for whatever You have in mind for us today. Equip us for Your work. Amen