In his book, When
‘Want To’ Becomes ‘Have To!’ my friend Gary Highfield observes if you stay
ready, you won’t have to get ready
when opportunity presents itself. A simple statement, yes, but profound at the
same time. The best way to ensure success is to always be prepared.
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| Oops! Obviously someone failed to make the right preparations prior to the construction of this bridge. |
Abraham Lincoln reputedly said, “If I had nine hours to chop
down a tree, I’d spend the first six hours sharpening my ax.” Just as a dull
blade would greatly slow the process of cutting wood, failure to make ample
preparation can thwart our best efforts to achieve intended goals.
I remember one morning while working as an assistant editor
for a daily newspaper and I was up against a tight schedule. My best-laid plans
had gone up in smoke when a major news story broke over the wire service, leaving me in a panic, since the deadline for completing the pages I was working on
was less than 30 minutes away.
Thankfully, the managing editor arrived and came to my
rescue. Applying his years of experience and wisdom, he quickly rearranged the
pages I had been laboring over and got them to the pressmen with minutes to spare.
As I recovered from the near disaster, he offered advice I’ve never forgotten:
“Always have a plan B.” In other words, be prepared for the unexpected.
We hear a lot about the importance of being prepared – for
college, for having children, for making a presentation at work, for retiring. There’s
even Preparation H…although I think that’s something totally different, right?
Despite the warnings, most of us delay, thinking we’ll start
preparing tomorrow, next week, or next year. The reality is if you’re not in
the process of getting prepared now for whatever you’re anticipating, you probably
won’t be sufficiently prepared when the time comes.
The Bible speaks a lot about living in the present, but it
also teaches much about preparing for the future. In fact, preparation was a
key element in the exodus of the Israelites from enslavement in Egypt. Before
their hasty departure, the Israelites asked the Egyptians for silver and gold,
as well as articles of clothing – which the besieged Egyptians willingly agreed
to do, along with a hearty “Good riddance!”
So when the time came for Moses and the Israelites to construct
a tabernacle for worship and fixtures for the sacrifices, necessary materials
were readily available. It was certainly better than rummaging around in the
wilderness in search of supplies.
Proverbs 24:27 admonishes, “Finish your outdoor work and get your fields ready; after that build
your house.” In other words, unlike today’s common practice of buying costly
items with the presumption there will be money later to pay for them, God
advises that making preparations to ensure sufficient income should be a top
priority.
Jesus cautioned His followers not to embark on an ambitious
enterprise without confidence in their ability to see the work to completion. "Suppose
one of you wants to build a tower. Won't you first sit down and estimate the
cost to see if you have enough money to complete it? For if he lays the
foundation and it not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule
him, saying, ‘This fellow began to work and was not able to finish’” (Luke
14:28).
Do you ever have conversations with people about God and
your faith? We could just wait until someone appears on our doorstep and
challenges our beliefs, or we could do as the apostle Peter advised: “Always be prepared to give an answer to
everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have” (1
Peter 3:15). If they ask a good question, we owe them a reasonable reply.
In another passage, the apostle Paul states, “Conduct yourselves with wisdom toward
outsiders, making the most of the opportunity” (Colossians 4:5). We maximize opportunities when we’re ready to respond appropriately. Can
you clearly articulate the basis for your faith in Christ, other than because
it’s what someone you respect told you? If not, you need to get prepared. When
are you going to start?
Biblical exhortations about preparation are not limited to
this life alone. Followers of Jesus are given assurance of eternal life, but
the Scriptures teach the quality of our heavenly experience will depend in part
on how we’ve used and invested our time on earth; how we’ve prepared for the
life to come.
Jesus said, “Do not
store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and
where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in
heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in
and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” That’s
a pretty sobering admonition – and I’m sure that’s as He intended.
And clearly, the Lord practices what He preaches. He’s a “preparer”
and is actively preparing for our arrival: “…as
it is written, ‘No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what
God has prepared for those who love him”” (1 Corinthians 2:9).
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