Prepare
I remember as a young boy learning the Cub Scout motto: “Be Prepared”. I learned early on that to be prepared means to think through what’s next or where I’m about to go next. I learned that to have a good outcome, we have to prepare some things ahead of time.
Jesus was at the home of friends and His words reminded me of a valuable principle. Check this out…
38 As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. 39 She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. 40 But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!” 41 “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, 42 but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.” (Luke 10:38-42 NIV)Sometimes I get so busy preparing for an event, that I don’t show up to the event – mentally. The preparation part can easily distract me. I’ve often told a bride and groom during wedding counseling that don’t get so busy planning this big wedding event and making it beautiful that you don’t really take in the special moment of that big day.
If I get too busy preparing to meet the Lord, I might just miss the fact that He showed up. His Presence is priceless. I don’t want to miss His Presence – ever. If I get busy preparing to worship, I might just miss the Person I came to worship.
I’m not knocking preparation, because I believe that proper preparation can make His Presence even more powerful and precious. (I didn’t intentionally make that a tongue twister!) I can see Jesus in the ordinary events of my life. I can also see Him in the well-planned and well-prepared events of my life. I don’t want to miss either.
When Jesus is the focus of my preparation, I certainly don’t want to miss what He does when He shows up. He changes situations. He changes perspective. He changes lives whether I’m prepared or not. One thing is needed….Jesus, Only Jesus! His Will – His Way is the ONLY way!
Pressing On! Dwayne