If you live anywhere in Georgia you probably were on "snow watch" last week. I wasn't quite sure it would happen, but I knew if it didn't, we would have some very disappointed girls at my house. Thankfully it did snow.
I always have to laugh at how we "prepare" for snow and ice here in the south. The news stations talk about it for days before it even happens. Everyone in the world, or it seems that way, is at the grocery store buying food to be prepared. There is such an influx of busyness and excitement as people get ready for the big weather event.
I have thought about the difference between being prepared and unprepared this week but in the context of being prepared spiritually. I know there are so many things that happen in life that we are unprepared for. It could be a job loss, a sickness, a death, wayward children, or a number of other things.
I don't know about you, but when things like this happen in my life they can cause extreme stress, anxiety, and uncertainty. Life does not always go as we planned. Our circumstances change, and we can all say we have faced trials we did not expect or anticipate. I do think if we are prepared spiritually it enables us to better handle the things that surprise us in life.
Being prepared is not just about having the right tools, food, or resources although that helps. Being prepared spiritually is having the right heart and mindset, trusting in God's timing, and being ready for what He has in store. Here are a few things I have learned (and still have to remind myself of) over the years.
First, we have to purposefully spiritually prepare ourselves. This just means there is action on our part to be prepared. We have to have our quiet time and spend time with the Lord. Studying and spending time in the Word allows us to have scripture to comfort us and pray over others to combat the stress and anxiety of unexpected situations. If we had waited until the last minute to prepare for the snow, we might not have had a sled, food, or the outwear needed like gloves, coats, and hats.
We were proactive in preparing. In the same manner we have to prepare spiritually in advance. To do this involves disciplining ourselves, praying, reading, and spending time with the Lord. I think we have to realize that our preparation matters. Whether we are kids preparing for the snow, teachers preparing to teach, executives preparing for a meeting or most importantly us as believers just being prepared for life situations.
All preparations are valuable and matter but, as believers, our spiritual preparations have eternal impacts. We have the opportunity to be prepared to share the Gospel with someone who has not heard, to pray for someone who is hurting, to walk beside those who may have a sickness or lost a loved one.
We also have the freedom and privilege to prepare ourselves by trusting the One who has all the answers. This enables us to build our faith daily through prayer, the Word, and a relationship with Jesus. We have to prepare so we won't be shaken when we encounter unplanned or unexpected circumstances. I think about the scripture in Isaiah, "Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert." God is working in ways that we might not understand. He does not act randomly or guess. He knows!
He is always ahead of us preparing a way even when it might seem unexpected to us. Our job is to be ready, be wise, keep the faith, and trust God. And just as a side note....if they predict snow make sure you have milk and bread. You can fill your physical hunger with milk and bread; however, that will not help you spiritually as you walk this road called life .
To be spiritually prepared drink from the fountain of living water and feast on the bread of life - Jesus. "Then Jesus declared, I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty."
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Jill Johnson, a staff member at the Georgia Baptist Mission Board, finds spiritual applications in her everyday experiences as a wife, mother, grandmother and Georgian. She is available to speak to your church's women's gatherings. Reach her at jjohnson@gabaptist.org.