B.Original : May 2013

Monday, May 6, 2013

It's All About Preparation

Preparation-

1. the action of making ready or being made ready for use

2. something done to get ready for an event or undertaking

You know the story about Jonah and the Big Fish, right (read Jonah 1:17 if you're unfamiliar with the text)?! You know, God told Jonah to go to Ninevah and tell the people to turn from their wicked ways. Jonah didn't like what God had to say so he "ran" from God! (It's funny to me when we try to run from God knowing that God is everywhere!) Anyway, he asked a few sailors to take him to another city. A storm started brewing and Jonah told the men that he was the reason for the storm because God was upset with him. What did the sailors do?! They threw him off the boat! Now this is the good part! There was a PREPARED fish waiting to swallow Jonah! Jonah's other option was to sink to the bottom of the ocean but God prepared a fish to save his life. Where did the Big Fish spit Jonah out...Ninevah! Tell me God doesn't have a sense of humor?! Jonah could've gotten there the easy way when God told him to go.

What I find amazing is that the fish was prepared. It was already there waiting for Jonah. It did not have to swim a few miles to get to him. The fish's sole purpose in life was to swallow Jonah. In order to live out his purpose, he had to be prepared! He had to be at the right spot at the right time with his mouth wide open ready to catch Jonah!

This is what we need to do as well! Get prepared! Get ourselves in position for what God has in store for us. We cannot stay stagnant and expect to be blessed with what all God has for us. We have to do some work as well.

Also be mindful, that God may use other people/situations to prepare us for better. Even though it looks like a negative God is preparing us for a better positive. A bad breakup or the loss of a job are both examples of a "big fish". While you're going through the situation it seems like a negative but it could be God preparing you for your Ninevah.

Sometimes preparation does not come in the form of us working to get what we want. Occasionally, it comes in the form of waiting. It is important for us to discern what kind of preparation we should be doing. God is preparing us by stretching us and testing our faith. He only does this to prepare us for greater.

As always, remember, you are fearfully and wonderfully made!

Psalm 139:14