PREPARATION

“Besides this you know the time, that the hour has come for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed”. Romans 13:11 ESV

I am at the age where financial planners encourage you to review your savings for your retirement years. Life insurance becomes more important and funeral homes offer preneed arrangements. I wonder what would happen to my dogs? Making a will is on my to-do list and should have been completed many years ago. As James 4:14 puts it, “Yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes”.

Being prepared is a theme that runs throughout the Bible. 2 Timothy 4:2 tells us to, “Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage-with great patience and careful instruction”. We are to be good and trustworthy stewards of what God has given us (1 Corinthians 4:1-2; Matthew 25:20-21; 1 Peter 4:10).

We are also to be prepared spiritually for Heaven. Our verse in Romans 13 tells us that salvation is nearer to us today than when we first believed. Mark 13:32 states that no one knows the hour when Jesus will return so we should be prepared. He gave us the commandments to love the Lord with all our hearts, and souls and mind and to love others as ourselves (Matthew 22:36-39). John 14:15 tells us that Jesus said, “If you love me, keep my commands”.

We are also told to be prepared to tell others. I Peter 3:15 states, “but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, but with gentleness and respect”, I Corinthians 4:1 puts it this way, “This is how one should regard us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God.” We are to be stewards of God’s word, passing it on to others. Hebrews 10:25 tells us not to give up meeting together and when we get together to encourage each other. 2 Timothy 4:2 explains, “Preach the Word, be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage-with great patience and careful instruction”.

Do you know someone who needs encouragement? Perhaps you have a loved one who has never placed their faith in Jesus as their Savior and Lord? Be prepared to share the mysteries of God with them as a trustworthy steward.

Maybe like me, it is you who needs to get prepared. Not just as a good steward of what God has given you here on earth and to make sure your dogs have a good home but to prepare yourself to meet Jesus face to face. The group Mercy Me in I Can Only Imagine explores the question of what they would do when they meet Jesus. Will we dance in His presence or be in such awe that we stand in silence or fall to our knees in worship?

The Son of God is the Savior of the World and that includes me and you. He is great and worthy of all praise. Let’s be prepared to meet him in glory and give him all of our worship here on earth!