Skip to main content

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. 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

"Especially to those who belong to the family of believers."

Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. (Gal 6:10)   “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.   By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:34-35)           Joshua grinned when he saw Rex standing by the door, studying something on the ground. "Hey, man! Are we ready to do this thing?"          Rex looked up. "Josh, I can't do it. We're still best buds, but I can't stand your fiancée."           I've met "Rex" many times. I've been Rex. Joshua (Jesus) loves the Church. He's not a fool. He knows the Church is far from perfect, but she is His chosen bride. The Rexes of this world, who think themselves His friend, turn away from her. "You don't need the Church to...
Post a Comment
Read more

Ssssssubmmissssssionnn

Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ . (Ephesians 5:21)             "Ssssssubmmisssssssionnn." Can't you just hear the serpent hissing this most horrible of words? If you listen to the serpent or the world, submission means groveling, allowing yourself to be abused, denying yourself your own humanity. Nothing could be worse than submission, could it?             Submission has never been a problem for me, as long as things are going the way I want them to. The rest of the time? Well, let's just say that while I don't know how to fight physically, I don't know how to not fight mentally. One of the fights I've been having with myself for years is about submission.             My first breakthrough took place on a trip to a bookstore. As I walked into the store, my thoughts were very clear. 1) I was goi...
Post a Comment
Read more

Shark Fins, Triple Dog Dares, Heroes, Villains and Sidekicks

Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up! Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12)            There's a scene in Jaws in which someone sees a shark fin and starts a panic. As   all the swimmers scramble to shore, boats surround the fin, which falls over to reveal two kids. With several guns pointed at them, one of the kids points at the other. The message is clear: it was his idea. In Christmas Story, there's a scene in which one kid "triple dog dares" another to do something stupid. Since it's a triple dog dare, well, what choice does the boy have? There doesn't seem to be any end to the trouble that peer pressure can cause. ...
Post a Comment
Read more