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Ready

             For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. (Ephesians 2:10)

Those who cleanse themselves from the latter will be instruments for special purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work.       (II Timothy 2:21)

Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. (II Timothy 4:2)

But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, (I Peter 3:15)

“Be Prepared” is the motto for the Boy Scouts, the Girl Scouts. While “Fear not,” and “love one another” might be Christian mottos, “Be prepared” and “be ready” also pepper the New Testament. I found myself wondering about this as I cooked four pounds of ground meat, chopped carrots, and zested and peeled two oranges. The meat is for the dog, and the carrots and oranges are for my lunchbox for the next two days of work. Since then, I’ve filled my lunch box, made bean and carrot mash sufficient for at least 2 batches of dog food, and put the rice on to cook. It’s all a bother, but my dog is healthier for it, and I don’t have the inconvenience of preparing it all with the added stress of “NOW!”

This is the same idea behind my “I’m not prepared for emergencies” anxiety (or whatever it is.) If I learn and practice now, when I need to do something, I’ll know how. This has been taught by philosophers and other wise folks for millennia. If you read through Proverbs, you’ll find hard-working ants who prepare for winter, and warnings about prudence.

In the New Testament, we’re told that God prepared good works for us to do. Preparation involves our cleansing ourselves and being holy because that’s what prepares us to do good works. We’re to be prepared all the time, not only to do good works but to give answers. Being prepared takes discipline and attention, first to God and Scripture, and secondly to ourselves and those around us. 

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