Prepare

I received my first “curveball” of the day in the middle of my morning routine. As I reached my phone to check some inboxes, I discovered it was in the middle of an automatic operating system update. What I needed to do next wasn’t an available option yet. I had to wait.

Waiting is not my best trick. A few more glances at the screen only reminded me of what I couldn’t do. I had to approach this wait time differently…to think differently…what could I do with this time?

Yesterday I received a new pouch for my first aid supplies.  My current “kit” has far more than I need for Onewheeling adventures, so I decided to adjust and create more space in my day pack.  Stocking my new kit was the perfect thing to do with my uninvited break.  This became a good use of my time and also helped me be prepared for the future.

Last week, my Bible study group began discussing the “end times.”  With all of the conflict in the world today it’s easy to wonder if we are indeed getting close.   In our group we all agreed that, while it’s possible, there have been many times over the last two thousand years that followers of Jesus wondered the same thing.  We don’t know the time but scripture does say that it’ll be far from pleasant and that we need to be prepared. 

The forty days preceding Easter are traditionally reserved as a time of preparation.  God provided us this example through Jesus’ time in the wilderness.

In the waiting, we have an opportunity, and a calling, to prepare. Preparation for the future into which God leads us isn’t easy and it requires a significant investment. We are invited to follow, with everything, and through that pursuit we are readied.

“But according to his promise we are waiting for a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness is at home.” ‭‭2 Peter‬ ‭3:13‬ ‭CEB‬

Your time is one of your most valuable treasures. Often the things we do with our time don’t provide worthy returns. If you feel like what is “next” in your faith journey isn’t available yet–if you are waiting–then you may just need to adjust your approach.