THE RIGHT PREPARATION
1 Peter 3:15-16
But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, 16 having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame.
The last few days have been devastating to the people of much of the Upper Peninsula. Snows of up to 3 feet have pummeled the area and the worst of it fell right over our house. Linda and I are on the road, but our neighbors are completely snowed in. Our driveway has too much snow for the plows to even begin to move it.
The news had forecast the storm enough that most people got out and got the supplies that they needed. Others didn't prepare and are stuck without the basic essentials.
I put time into my hunting preparation. I study maps for months, prepare my gear and my mind prior to a hunt, it's a passion. When we've guided hunts in the west over the years we've been successful because of the preparation before the trip was made. Success depends on preparation and training... in hunting and any other part of life. Especially our spiritual life.
When it comes to big storms, we might only get one chance. We've all heard of people that don't prepare, and when the hurricane, tornado or massive blizzard hits they weren't prepared and they paid a heavy price... sometimes with their lives.
Its somewhat like a single elimination tournament, like this weeks NCAA March Madness tournament, if you're not prepared you are out. It's a "one and done" event.
Each of us lives a "one and done" life. There are no do overs to be had, this is just the here and now for this world. We've got one chance to live this life the best that we can. To many people this life has no real meaning, it's just a "eat, drink and be merry, for tomorrow we die" mentality. For those that have a close relationship with Christ, there is the hope and assurance of the eternal life beyond this life, but still we have a life to live to the fullest while we are here.
If we have no "do overs" for this life, why don't we prepare for it better? Life is far more important than a basketball tournament yet we go through it without preparing ourselves.
2 Timothy 2:15 tells us, "Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."
Be prepared to live a godly life, "study to show thyself approved ". A life that shines for the Lord. A life that points others to a relationship with Christ. This life is the "Big Game", there are no do overs. We have one chance to live it. We can live it for God or waste it, it's up to us.
There's an old poem by C.T. Studd that speaks to what is really important and why we prepare for this life.
"Only one life, will soon be past,
Only what's done for Christ will last."
What are you preparing for? Be successful, be prepared.
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