Being Prepared – Are you Ready?? – by Thomas
Sometimes I find myself reminisce about my football days; I played all through grade, middle, high school and my first year of college. I get really baffled as I remember how much time I spent in practice, preparing, studying and learning the game. I had a strong desire to learn more to do more and a desire to win. At first it was pretty easy. I was always faster than all the kids; bigger and stronger so much of me was not required to be the best. As I got older I slowly saw things beginning to change. In high school the game was faster, the players were bigger and stronger. I had to pay more attention in practice, during film and lift more weights. It was very competitive.
As the game changed I saw myself spending more and more time striving to be at the top. After high school I received a full ride scholarship to the University of Louisville. I only played one year due to injury but I got a good dose of how division 1 college ball was. The game was so much faster than high school everyone was as big or bigger, as fast or faster and as strong or stronger than I. It took only a few days on the field to find out that if I wanted to earn a spot on the field just going to practice is not enough… I would have to work harder than everyone else. Take the road less traveled. Lift more weights to get stronger, do more drills to get faster, and watch film and study to become smarter. I would have to spend more time out side of practice to get better at this game. This was like a full time job.
I’m sure we all found ourselves in situations where we spent lots of time preparing for things in your life. Whether it is studying for the NCLEX exam for school so a retake isn’t necessary, or working 80 hours a week for a stressful job that requires all of our time. Weddings, projects and the things of life usually require a lot of time to prepare for. The thing that blew my mind is that we spend so much time getting prepared for our own agendas but what about being prepared for God’s agenda?
Lets take a look at what the bible teaches and about being prepared?
In Romans 12:1-2 it says
1 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
Matthew 7:13-14 says
13 Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. 14 For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.
1 Peter 3:15 says
But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,
After reading this I realize at times we becoming living sacrifices to the wrong things in our lives.
Now if you can give yourself away fully to prepare for something of this world why can’t you do that for Jesus; prepare your self to become a better soul winner, better in your talents and in having a closer relationship with Him? It seemed so silly to me that we can give so much away to thrown a football around so that we can have a shot at more money more popularity and a chance to making history in books when in then end, it doesn’t even matter at all!! What really matters is adding to His kingdom and just like anything we do we need to prefect that by preparing.
Imagine what would happen in our community, and all over if all of us became true living sacrifices for Jesus??? When we realize that there is a bigger goal in mind and it’s winning souls; when we realize that going to church is like practice where we all gather to become better spiritually and mentally. We wouldn’t miss practice or our favorite shows, and if we did we would always make it up later. When we understand as we grown in Christ test and trials become bigger and only going to church on Sunday’s and Wednesday’s are not enough. We have to take the road less traveled to overcome. That means daily seeking after him in his word and in prayer, daily sharping our skills and talents so that when the time comes to get in the “soul winning game” we are prepared. Its not going to be easy but when we realize we, as the body of Christ, need to be in a constant pursuit of His presence; and become true Living Sacrifices; that’s when we will be ready for the rain.
Thomas-
Thanks Thomas !! I needed that(:
you are so welcome!!
You’re welcome
Amazing… Wow, can you say Bishop Thomas ? Remember “5 churches” .
Hey you never know what God had in stored!