Preparing the spirit

There has been an awful lot of talk around here this week about preparation. Our son is testing this weekend for his "Decided Black Belt." It's been a three year journey, that in some ways begins today. The word of the week has been "preparation," and it's proven to be God's way of nudging each of us around here, forcing us to ask....

"How are YOU preparing?"


I know how God works with me. He takes my daily life events and takes the opportunity to teach ME through lessons that I THINK are for others, while all along were meant for me.
Hence, preparation.

I would be an absolute FOOL to try and earn a black belt without extensive preparation, both physically and mentally. Forms, sparring, one steps, three steps, and board breaking... Why would I ever think that I can be spiritually prepared without the proper training?

This week, as Hayden was getting ready for this TEST, he broke down the components of what would be required of him. He fell short in one area, due only to a "lack of preparation."
I was frustrated, and that is when it happened.
It was in this that I could hear God clearly convicting me, and I began to examine my spiritual preparedness.
"Are you as "prepared" as you need to be Lori?"
OUCH!

Life is a series of tests, circumstances and challenges. These situations leave us with 2 options.
Wait for the test to come and deal with it THEN, or constantly work to prepare the spirit, knowing that not IF, but rather WHEN the trials come (James 1:2), I will not find myself unable to know where to go. Rather, I will be able to stand firm in the midst of the test, unwavering in faith.

~WELL, THAT'S JUST NOT GONNA HAPPEN!~

I've gone into 'races' before without the proper preparations and quite frankly, I've ended up "flat on my face." Finding oneself in that position is much like failing a test, it leaves you humbled and vowing NEVER to allow yourself to be in that position again.

And then it happens...AGAIN~
But, gracious as God is, He finds a way to "slip" those reminders in, if we are looking.

Preparation is WORK, it's DISCIPLINE and sometimes there are other things that we would much rather be "doing," than "preparing." When everyone else is distracted, going about their own business, or even trying to convince you that preparation isn't necessary.....
It's sometimes not easy or fun....
but necessary.

Take Joseph for example, while everyone else was enjoying the feast of the plentiful harvests, 7 years worth, he was preparing for the famine that would eventually come.
I'm certain that he took some ribbing from those around him.
I can hear them now,
"Come on Joe, is all that STOCKPILING necessary...come on, let it go. Let's just live for the moment."

"As predicted, for seven years the land produced bumper crops. During those years, Joseph gathered all the crops grown in Egypt and stored the grain from the surrounding fields in the cities.....
Then the seven years of famine began, just as Joseph predicted. The famine also struck the surrounding countries, but throughout Egypt there was plenty of food.
Genesis 41:47-49, 54

He listened, he prepared and as a result when the TEST came (as it will for us), he was ready to meet it head on. We are challenged to do the same. No, not stockpile up canned goods, but prepare ourselves for what may come our way. Spending time with God helps me to see that HE alone will guide me through the storms of life, if I'm willing to put in the time to PREPARE.

My eight year old has been teaching himself, and us some fundamental lessons this week on being prepared, especially me. I don't know about you, I LOVE when God provides me with these life lessons. I'm just glad I was looking this time!

There really is no time like today to begin preparing. It could happen at a moment's notice, and while we never know what may happen, we can seek to develop wisdom and hopefully find ourselves "ready," knowing where to go when the test comes....


In case you're wondering....HIS TEST was today....
and he was prepared....
Am I? I'm taking a lesson away with me.

In Him,