At the beginning of this year I felt that God was calling me to a place…a place of preparation where He was going to do a work. So, my One Word for 2018 was PREPARE. (I highly recommend seeking God for a One Word for each year see below for links to articles to find out more). I had no idea, and still have no firm idea, on what God was and is preparing me for but I had a deep sense that I was to practice listening carefully for his leading and courageously follow.
I discovered the awesome truth of God’s continuous preparations in the background of our lives. He is always preparing for us – inside and out. He even uses troubles and problems to prepare us for the future!
” For our light momentary afflictions is ever more and more abundantly preparing and producing and achieving for us an everlasting weight of glory [beyond all measure, excessively surpassing all comparisons and all calculations, a vast and transcendent glory and blessedness never to cease!] 2 Cor 4:17 AMP
Prepare – to make something or someone ready or able to do or deal with something. It involves equipping, training, bracing, arming, fashioning, arranging and developing.
Prepare = to turn
One of the Hebrew words for prepare is interesting – it’s not what I thought it would be. Panah meaning “to turn”. With all Hebrew words there is an image attached to the meaning of the word. Panah is to turn the face. Wow! In order to prepare for what God has in store for us we need to turn our face away from things that distract and towards things that will aid the preparation phase. A turning away of Earthly Things and a positioning towards Heavenly Things.
God says to me…. As soon as you start making more heavenly choices you will not want to make any earthly choices. Earthly things used to comfort you will only put a layer over your heart that will veil my voice.
Prepare = to pray
Praying is not just preparing for the work…It is the work!
Don’t be like the disciples – Jesus knew they needed to be prepared for what was to happen next and he urged them to watch and pray. (Matthew 26:41). What has God prepared for you in 2019? The first step is to pray and prepare your heart for what is in store.
Prepare = to practice
“Practice” seems to be a nicer and more gentler word than “prepare”, don’t you think? We can all practice. There is no yardstick on practising. What did God want me practice in this period of preparation?
- to practice stillness
- to practice resting in His presence first then work
- to practice giving Him the end of my days and go out into the deep (like Peter in Luke 5:4)
- to practice being captivated by God’s power to do the impossible
- to practice allowing God to cleanse my internal vision to see what He sees
- to practice saying ‘yes’ to Jesus every time
- to practice thanksgiving
- to practice worship
- to practice healthy eating and living
- to practice what I believe
God says to me…Be willing for me to prepare you like David the shepherd boy, who became the king. David prepared a place for me to dwell in his worship. He said ‘yes’ to all the challenges he faced; bears, lions and giants, because he knew that I was with him.
Prepare = to believe
Faith always comes first in any long lasting endeavour. 2018 taught me to believe that God is always working. “To be confident that he who began a good work in me will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 1:6).
To believe in the indwelling Spirit. This one truth seems to be missing from our thoughts and convictions as modern 21st century believers. God is not only with us…He lives IN us. It’s a marvelous truth. I will be pondering it for the rest of my earthly life.
Don’t believe what you see. Believe what you don’t see. “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” (Hebrews 11:1)
Prepare = to know
To fully be prepared for all God has in store for us in the new year, we need to know who God is. The real, I AM, not what we have made Him out to be. To know our true identity in Christ. To know that we are His sons and daughters. No orphans here. To know His everlasting love. To know His “no condemnation”. To know that He is working in us and for us – always. To know that He never slumbers nor sleeps. To know that He always always pours grace upon grace. To know that He is just.
God is into…
- preparing places for us to dwell
- preparing people for us to meet
- preparing challenges to face
- preparing joys to experience
- preparing lessons for us to learn
Why? so that we live in true freedom.
Action Step: God sent a messenger, John, to prepare the way for Jesus to be born on this earth. (Mark 1:2) . Take time out this week to ponder all the preparations God has taken for you and your family. From before the earth was formed, he had you in mind. He prepared when you were to be knitted together in your mother’s womb. He prepared where you would live and grow up. He prepared all the talents, skills, personality and abilities that you posses and some that you don’t know about yet. He prepared your spouse. He prepared the children to be conceived. He prepared your salvation. He prepared your freedom. He prepared your 2018 and your 2028. He is now preparing an eternal place for you. (John 14:2)
Keep Leaning into God – Finish 2018 Well!
Rachel Larkin
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