Prepare Yourself

Romans 13:8-14

 

 

Prep work is always the most important part of a job. Take painting for instance.

 

For an indoor job, first you have to remove everything hanging on the wall including all the outlet and light switch covers. Then you repair any drywall damage and fill holes. It’s always a good idea to sand down the wall too. Next, you may need to put a coat of primer on depending on the existing wall color and the new color.

 

Before you start to roll the final coat, you must cut in around all the trim. And before

cutting in, most people will apply blue tape to protect the trim. Finally, you get to roll the beautiful paint that you have selected. Then, when it’s all done, your spouse comes along, looks at it and points to a spot that you missed… Good preparation is essential.

 

Paul understood the importance of preparation. He wrote, ^11 “Another reason for right living is this: you know how late it is; time is running out. Wake up, for the coming of the Lord is nearer now than when we first believed.”           TLB

 

In other words, we need to be ready; to be prepared for when the Lord returns. We can’t be lazy. We always have to be on high alert, as if a terrorist attack was eminent. We always have to be motivated to do our best. However, doing that “day in and day out” is difficult.

 

I went to a motivational workshop once where one of the speakers said that he took the attitude every day that

today was the last day before he went on vacation. You know how it is before going on vacation. You’re trying to get everything done that you would normally do during vacation, only get it done before vacation.

 

Peter also understood the importance of preparation. ^13 “Therefore, prepare your minds for action, keep a clear

head, and set your hope completely on the grace to be given you when Jesus, the Messiah, is revealed.”  ISV

 

This verse begs the question: Why do you prepare your mind for action? James gives us the answer. ^14 “Temptation is the pull of man’s own evil thoughts and wishes. ¹⁵ These evil thoughts lead to evil actions and afterwards to the death penalty from God.”           TLB

 

From these verses, and our own experience, we know that sin begins with a fleeting

thought or desire. Therefore, preparing our mind and heart for action is critical in our relationship with Christ.

 

If we know why we should “prepare our mind for action”, then how do we do it? For me it includes daily time in the Scriptures and meditation on God’s word, talking to and listening for God to speak, participation in worship, in singing, in fellowship and in accountability with other believers.

 

 

Prepare yourself. How do you do it?