Isaiah 40:3 A voice of one is calling: "In the wilderness, prepare the way for the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for God."
My son and I, working late into a Friday night, prepare the fruits, lay out the fish, chop up the onions to make cive'che, and continue to prepare for a big fish fry fundraiser planned for tomorrow evening.
I went shopping. Setting things in order, scraps quickly go in the garbage. I wash dishes and put things away, leaving space, making the way clear for his handiwork with a knife.
Without proper preparation, chaos in the kitchen and a less than satisfactory result could be our outcome.
Corey set me up with the task of rolling the limes, slicing and squeezing. Who would know that these little gems of deliciousness together, supply so much juice?
I am following my son's lead, as he has done this before.
When I shared the event with a friend today, she surprised me by asking if I needed plates and napkins; she would gladly drop them off in the morning for our event. What a blessing!
Earlier preparation included extensive advertising and of course, several fishing trips to supply and inspire our event.
We anticipate a fun and successful day.
Have you prepared your heart for what God wants you to hear--what He wants to stir up in your walk with Him?
Some of us need more prep time than others. We don't see the clutter, the garbage in the way.
Things remain frozen and what we've "caught"...we don't know what to do with.
Maybe you've "left things out on the counter," always with a good intention, but how things spoil fast!
Sometimes it takes someone whose experience teaches us how to take a step, encourage us in the right ways to prepare. We begin to read His Word and study to learn, spend more time in prayer, actually attend church and get involved.
Other times, a blessing comes unexpectedly and we see the goodness of the Lord. It makes us yearn for more. Gratefulness prepares us again into humbleness and to recognize more of His grace.
When He's touched us, inspired by the Holy Spirit to grow, sharing comes natural and with God, we boldly tell our story and anticipate with joy, all He has prepared for us.
Jesus, He's all about preparation: "And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you to myself; that where I am, there you may be also."
Clear what clutters, lay out your purchased heart before Him. Allow Him to make you into a "gem of deliciousness," prepared to receive and serve all His goodness.
Lord, thank you that you lead us into preparation for all you have for us. You show us, when we humble ourselves before you, where the clutter lies. You gather it and discard it, clearing the way for us to receive abundant life. The results are a bounty of Your goodness and wisdom from Your Word that continues to prepare us to walk everyday in Your light. What You prepare for us--indescribable! Amen.
Luke 21:36 "But keep on alert at all times, praying in order that you may have strength
to escape all those things that are about to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man."
This week it was my high school's year to present the full assembly, "Every 15 Minutes." http://www.every15minutes.com/enter/. A re-enactment of an alcohol-caused collision involving our own students before their Prom night, it involves several agencies cooperating to pull this off. MADD/SADD, Chino Hills Sheriff, the school district, city officials and local hospital staff, work to give a visual, a warning, a chance to think about the consequences of drinking and driving. The major street through town, which happens to run right in front of the high school, is closed down. The props of wrecked cars and the re-enactors proceed to give us a scary and potential view of "what could happen." "Grim Reapers" walk around the site and in front of the grandstands of juniors and seniors watching. One of the girls in her prom dress is placed on a gurney, the sheet pulled over her head. Her prom date receives a field sobriety test. A helicopter lands across the street to whisk away the injured. Day two, a memorial assembly, "funeral" for the student "killed."
It's only a re-enactment, hopefully a sobering one.
In the last few weeks California has experienced what Californians know is an everyday potential occurance, earthquakes. We've had several in the last 24 hours as I type this. Earthquake drills at school and emergency plans are set up. There will be a rush to big box stores to get more earthquake kits put together and purchases of extra bottled water. Throw those tennis shoes in the trunk of the car, you might have to walk amongst broken glass if you're away from home. Did you feel it?"...and the posts pop up frequently for local facebook friends.
5.1, 4.4...3.0. They are small tremors; nerve-racking, yes. Japan's quake in 2011 was 9.0
In the first paragraph, there is a responsibility to make a choice not to drink and drive. We can be proactive in taking keys, calling a taxi, being a designated driver. In the second scenario, we can be prepared, try not to panic, work in safe buildings, know how to turn off the gas, move out of California.
We can do all the right things, and still get hit by a drunk driver, or have the walls tumble down around us.
We can be in plane that flys off course
Under a mountain that slides.
In a doctor's office when bad news is presented.
At the receiving end of a pink slip.
There are things we cannot control.
God tells us to prepare, prepare our hearts, our lives. While we can do the tangible, practical things to be safe, be smart, protect ourselves, God is and always will be our first responder when we put our trust in Him.
There is no one that cannot escape every bad thing. When your heart belongs to God, your eternal preparation is done. Accepting the truth that you need retrofitting by the Holy Spirit, that your life requires a designated driver everyday, is how in this uncertainty in life, we can have the promise of hope and peace. God prepares His Goodness for us today and for always.
Lord, help me to be proactive in my watching and waiting. Instruct me through Your Word, in my need to contol things, to let you have the wheel, to allow you to fill me with the things that work together to prepare my heart for Your will. Thank you for your protection. Everything is OK. In the end, I know You always work things out. Help me Lord to re-enact my trust in You; that it is a natural response, a testimony to others. Guide the way in my prayers for my loved ones to prepare their own hearts for your Truth. Amen.
