We are all preparing for something; or being prepared for something. A continuous series of events, leading one into another.
Every day, we go through our mental check lists of what we have to do before whatever comes next. Much of this happens without our conscious planning; it is routine.
We choose our clothes with careful consideration of what activities the day may hold. We write to-do lists to ensure we keep our focus and accomplish our goals. These kinds of preparation help us to be comfortable and efficient.
We also do things to increase our chances of being successful. Many of us begin our day in prayer and meditation to prepare for the challenges and opportunities we will encounter. Maybe we read or study to increase our knowledge on a certain topic so we can be more effective at school or work.
Sometimes our preparation is for the purpose of safety and protection. Teenagers take driving lessons so they know how to operate a vehicle without putting themselves or somebody else in danger. Soldiers learn proper techniques and strategies, the rules of engagement, to reduce their risk on the battlefield.
There are many things that we actively and intentionally do to prepare us for what lies ahead. When we set goals, we carefully calculate the steps it will take to achieve them. We make a plan, set it into action, and then pause from time to time to reevaluate our strategy. We may find that our perspective was a little off, so we tweak the plan as needed to carry it out to completion.
There are also many circumstances in our lives that we do not choose and can not plan for. Each one is preparing us, in ways we can not see, for something we can not even comprehend.
I have found that my conscious preparations, for what I see coming, are far less important than how God is preparing me for what I don’t see. He knows my heart, and He knows my fears. He knows my weakness, and He knows my strength. He sees my future, and He knows my past. He created me with a purpose, and every moment of my life is designed to fulfil it.
Something special happens in a life that is surrendered to God. There is an unseen power at work, aligning what is and what will be. Finite man connecting with an infinite God. Where time and the timeless intersect.
We, who are in Christ, are called righteous yet we are in the process to learning righteousness. We choose daily to be righteous, and we choose to be made righteous by the hands of our Father. We hold loosely to our plans and preparations, and allow His to take precedence.
That does not mean that we make no efforts of our own. God did not give us a logical and analytical mind for no reason. We should use our knowledge and experience to plan for the future as best we can. We should make every effort to prepare ourselves for what lies ahead. But, when things do not work according to our plans, when our efforts fail or we are caught off guard, we rest confidently in the knowledge that our Father planned it all along.
These times of preparation are an opportunity to practice what we have already learned, and to step out to try new things. But ultimately, they are a chance to learn dependence on our sovereign and omniscient God. To learn that we don’t have all the answers, and we don’t have the ability to do it on our own. It is a time of letting go of false securities, and holding on the promises of faith.
Looking back, we can see the overlaying dimensions that brought us to where we are. From the time I was accepted for the World Race, I have been planning fund-raising events to prepare for my financial needs in the coming year. God was planning for much more than that.
I have learned humility as I have had to depend on the support of others instead of my own efforts. I have been practicing my communication skills as I have planned and completed several presentations for various groups. I learned to respond in faith at the sound of God’s voice when He prompted me to introduce myself to a prayer group in a cafe. I have learned patience and perseverance when my efforts did not produce the results I had hoped for. I have learned that God will carry me through when I overextend myself.
From my perspective, all of these things were for the purpose of meeting my financial needs. God has a much better perspective. He is growing my faith, building my confidence, stretching my boundaries, developing my skills, and teaching me humility through this one aspect of preparation.
All of these things are preparing me in many ways for the challenges and opportunities ahead of me. Things I could not prepare for on my own.
Preparation is a time of discovery and growth. It’s a time to develope your strengths, and embrace your weaknesses. It’s a time to surrender to the gentle hands of the Father as He molds you in the image of Christ.
