This is real.
Time is drawing nearer and nearer.
As the hands on the clock move faster than I can think,
I’m constantly wondering,
Is such a question even possible to answer?
What is ready? What is preparation? Who defines what it looks like?
And who approves who can or cannot admit, “I’m finally ready.”
As I have been in prayer asking God to start preparing me for what’s a head,
I’m amazed at what this looks like.
Never what I would’ve thought,
But always what I need.
God has been revealing to me that…
Preparation is giving Him your best and everything you have now.
Preparation is giving it your all now and not waiting to turn the light switch on when I'm getting
on the plane to travel for 11 months of my life.
Preparation is to be who he has called you to be now, not when it's easy because people
are desperate for the things you can offer.
Preparation is letting go of fears now, not when it's staring you right in the face
and you have no other choice but to punch it.
Preparation is dealing with past hurts now, not leaving them behind hoping that they desenegrate some how
during the 11 months that you're gone.
Preparation is investing now, not waiting till the last minute to say a quick prayer, click my heels, turn around, and hope for miracles.
Preparation is praying now, not holding back until I'm in the middle of what's ahead.
Preparation is loving now, not waiting for the ones to melt my heart.
Preparation has nothing to do with the future,
Yet has everything to do with
NOW.
Preparation isn’t a season, it’s a continual lifestyle of laying down lovers.
Therefore, you are constant, unshakable, and never lacking what it takes.
Dead to self, alive to Christ.
Always prepared.
I find myself in a hard spot.
Staring at unfinished business in my relationships.
Dealing with offense that’s built up.
Making sure I’m not running from problems,
But embracing them for healing.
Stepping out of my comfort zone to make a difference
in the midst of familiar faces.
Giving up my pride to say I know alone I have nothing to offer.
But I've also never felt God's hand at work so strongly.
Sometimes harsh realties, are the best realities.
As I was thinking about this whole idea of preparation, I was taken to a story I’ve read many times over and over again and never caught this.
A story of a woman who left a legacy and lived a life of great example for what it means to prepare.
We find her in Matthew 26:6-13.
A beautiful perfume bottle.
Expensive and lovely.
She pours it out,
All of it. Every ounce.
On the head of Jesus.
The ones closest to Jesus,
The disciples, even found better use.
They considered this wasteful.
The ones who knew Jesus the most.
The ones who lived with Jesus.
Despised her actions.
Jesus.
In awe of her gift.
Her precious gift.
Rebukes those closest to him
And assures them of her purpose.
“She has poured this perfume on me to PREPARE my body for burial.
I will tell you the truth, wherever the Good News is preached throughout the
World, this woman’s deed will be remembered and discussed.”
This woman.
Gave it all up.
Accepted criticism.
In order to bring preparation for the greatest thing
That mankind has ever experienced.
This woman.
Who's promise is still being fulfilled today
as we sit here and remember her deed.
Her offering.
Her laying down of everything she had.
Prepared Jesus for the death, which lead to the burial, resurrection, and ascention.
Preparation is a lifestyle of laying it down.
“It” being a multitude of things.
If the shoe fits, wear it.
Insecurity
Your plans
Agendas
Pride
Selfishness
Greed
Lust
Pornography
Friends
Boyfriends/Girlfriends
T.V. Shows
Movies
Crude humor
Drugs
Alcohol
Trashy music
Bitterness
Unforgiveness
Offense
Gossip
You name it.
I encourage you, like this woman, to join me in a lifestyle of preparation, less of me and more of him.
People may laugh at you and find countless excuses for you to do something else with what you are intended to give up, but let me tell you –
&
On the other side of the lifestyle of preparation is the power of the cross which promises a life so much greater than you could ever imagine.
Don't forsake your freedom for security or complaceny, rather lay down your other lovers for the
one true LOVE.
“We aren’t scared of nothing because we’ve already died.
Come make war on every other lover.
Hedge me in. Come and build your walls of fire around my heart.”
– Rick Pino
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