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Ready...Set...
The anticipation created by those two words is like seeing the fuse burn down on a cannon. Perhaps your mind goes to a sprinters’ race when you see the runners listening for the sound of the pistol. A good friend of mine told me that when he was growing up, he had difficulty being still. One day his dad told him, "Stuart, I want you to go..." and before he could finish the rest of the sentence, Stuart was off and running. A few minutes later, Stuart returned and asked his dad where it was he was supposed to go! There is a reason that "Ready" and "Set" are before "Go." Even Jesus in giving direction to the apostles prepared them for the task before He told them to, "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you" (Matthew 28:19, 20a).
We have been blessed with a New Year, 2013. Many people have set new goals for themselves. Several have a new resolve to accomplish physical and financial goals in the coming months. Have you given any thought to what you want to accomplish spiritually? Most of us have probably spent a great deal of time with a calendar and a budget to map out how we can accomplish reducing debt, saving for that vacation and losing those extra pounds. It is vital that we have a spiritual diet plan and a spiritual exercise plan. We need to be growing, useful spiritual servants in 2013!
A spiritual diet must consist of daily portions of milk and meat from the word of God. "As newborn babes desire the pure milk of the word that you may grow thereby" (1 Peter 2:2). Christians are exhorted to grow. What is your plan for spiritual growth? Some people have a certain time that they do their daily Bible reading whether it’s early in the morning before starting the day or ate the dinner table with their family. It’s easy to read a short passage and mentally check that off the to-do list. However, couple that with prayer and meditation and savor the sweetness that can be gleaned from the law of the LORD (Psalm 19:7-10).
Exercise is a means by which we are strengthened and formed into a more useful state. The word means to use or practice a quality; to develop a skill (Webster). As servants of our Lord and Master, we are intended for use in His kingdom. We not only need to hear what He commands, but do it (James 1:22). As we fill our calendars with birthdays, trips, school functions and various other events that keep us constantly on the go, let us not neglect opportunities to serve, teach, and encourage others. Some of those intentions can be scheduled, but others just kind of pop up. The Samaritan was on a journey and had things to do, but still took time to "be a neighbor." Jesus said to "Go and do likewise" (Luke 10:25-37). We need to be ready and set for opportunities to exercise what we have learned from God’s word, even when we are on the go.
Plans fail for several reasons. Sometimes we do not properly plan ahead of time for the obstacles we are sure to encounter. We have an enemy who does not want us to grow spiritually this year. Satan wants us to give up and quit. That is not an option! Anticipate that there will be conflicts for your time between spiritual and carnal activities. Choose the better for you and your family.
Another reason plans fail is discouragement–a powerful and widely used tool of the enemy. That is why it is so important for each of us to seek out opportunities to be around fellow Christians who encourage us and build us up. Our calendars should be filled with times to gather and communicate with the saints (Hebrews 10:24-26).
I have always been a fan of Davy Crockett. I admire all the things he accomplished in the states of Tennessee and Texas. Davy had a motto that I have tried to adopt in my life. He said, "Make sure you are right, then go ahead." With a spiritual plan in place for ourselves and our families, we will be ready for spiritual growth and set to serve as we go to heaven to be with our Lord and all those who followed Him. Make it a good year!
