There really is nothing like getting ready to do a job, or even getting started, and then finding out you don't have the tools you need. This has happened to me time and time again when I start to work on something I've never worked on before, whether in be a car, a plumbing job, or just fixing something around the house. And then you're left with one choice at that point, at that is to stop what you are doing and go get the tools you need. Thanks to technology and the internet, it is easier these days to know what you need to do a job and be prepared for it ahead of time.
Today, God was speaking to my heart about a very similar thing. It actually came to me on my drive to work when I passed a utility truck. When I looked in the back of it, it had racks holding shovels, pick axes, rakes and lot of other tools. They were well organized and you could tell they were on their way to a job site. As I passed them I felt God talking to me about what it looks like to be prepared to do HIs work. I felt Him speaking to me about how many times we want Him to call us to a higher purpose, but we don't want to do what it takes to be prepared for it. And actually, all throughout my life I have seen ministries come and go, or not even get off the ground, because the people that God was calling to it were not prepared. But, I have also seen ministries take off and do amazing things because the people who were called to it had taken the time (even before they were called) to be ready for the call. See, if we go back to that utility truck that I passed on the highway, and I again think about all the tools I saw in the back of it, I would bet they had that truck ready before they even got the call for the job. They didn't get the job first and then either go find a bunch of tools, or have to go purchase them. They would have been prepared for the work they were going to do before they even got the job. But do we think that way about being called by God? Are we always making sure our spirit, our mind, and our heart is ready for whatever He may call us to step out and do? We really should be. We should always be ready and alert for His calling...as if it could happen at any moment. It really is when we can stay in this place that we give Him full access to call us into the purpose He has for us, whether it be just that day, or for a lifelong ministry. However, to many times people walk through life giving just enough of themselves to God to be called a "Christian", and then comparing themselves to others and wondering why they aren't being called by God. Have you asked Him to search your heart? Have you given Him access to ALL areas of your life that may need cleansed to prepare you? Have you been honest enough with yourself to say, "I'm not as prepared as I could be"?
2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NLT) says, "All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work". Being prepared starts here...in God's word. When we set aside time get into His word, and spend time talking to Him, He begins to do things in us that can only be done in those times. He does things we can't do on our own. They usually start on the inside of us and will increase our faith, our wisdom, our knowledge, and strengthen our spirit to prepare us to step out when does He calls us. It would be very foolish of us to think, I'll wait until God calls me and then I will prepare myself. But sadly enough this really is what so many people do. Going back to that utility truck one more time, if you called that company to do a job for you, and they showed up without one tool, would you call them again? Or would you call someone who is prepared to do the job next time? This may be why you are not seeing God call you to do as much as He is calling your Christian brother or sister.
Let's be vigilant, let's be prepared, let's be purposeful and let's allow Him the place He needs in our lives to prepare us so WHEN (not if) we are called, we are ready.
God, thank You that You want to use us. We were all created for a purpose and too many times we let this world distract us and rob us from fulfilling that purpose. Today, help us say NO MORE...and take the time necessary to prepare our hearts, minds and spirits to be ready for your calling. Then help us take what You have equipped us with and go out and advance Your kingdom. In Jesus name, Amen.
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