Today I received a letter from a very dear friend of mine. The letter only contained a list of what a prepared heart looks like. May this be encouragement for anyone who loves the Lord and desires a prepared heart in life whether you’re preparing to go on an eleven month missions trip, are a stay-at-home parent, full-time student, are employed or retired… or in any situation in life. The Lord is mighty and amazing and will use you anywhere you are right now should you offer up all that is yours for His glory.
“God always gives His best to those who leave the choice up to Him.” Jim Elliot
A Prepared Heart:
-will not be disappointed with what God gives them and where God is leading them.
–doesn’t have anything to hold on to.
–is willing to surrender all for God.
–gives up control of their future to God.
–is ready and willing to endure all for God.
–is not fearful of the future.
–does not care about their reputation.
–trusts the decisions that God has made for them.
–trusts God’s leading despite perceived complications.
–trusts God’s leading despite other paths seeming easier or even more fruitful.
–trusts that God will provide completely for them: food, water, shelter, and mana (spiritual food).
–will follow God even if they don’t understand His plan.
–cherishes Jesus and heavenly things above all. (Col 3:1-3 If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on the things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have dies, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.)
–does not fear
–does not hold onto any preconceived idea about where God will send them or what He will have them do when they get there.
–is not fearful about security, but trusts God entirely. (Psalm 4:8 In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for You alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety.)
–does not place their full trust in people or even other Christian, but in God.
–does not hold onto friends or family, but is willing to let them go for the cause of Christ.
–is not anxious. (Phil 4:6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with THANKSGIVING let your requests be made known to God.)
–is joyful to go where God wants to take them.
–does not retract in fear when God leads.
–does not attempt another way when God begins to lead.
–is not double-minded. (James 1:5-8 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. )
–does not look back when God calls.
–believes and trusts the God knows (and will do) what’s best for them.
–has been diligent in seeking God concerning what they believe God wants them to do
–trusts that where God is calling them is His will for their lives.
–is willing to give up their life for God.
–Does not question God or grumble. (Phil 2:14-16a Do all things without grumbling or questioning, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast to the word of life.. )
–does not fear failure.
–does not count the applause of the world as valuable.
–does not see failure in the eyes of the world as anything of loss.
–remembers the example of Jesus Christ.
There is grace to all who are in Christ Jesus our Lord. There is love and power. There is hope. (: May each of you be greatly blessed by God. I love you. (: (:
