Hello Mornings: Start Strongنموونە

Start Prepared

When my family and I go on a vacation, I pack a lot of “just in case” items. My husband laughs every time we prepare for a trip. “I better bring plenty of bandages, just in case,” I say aloud as I shove a box into our overflowing suitcase. “I wonder if the hotel supplies beach towels? I better bring ours.” My list of “just in case” items grows as I think of new things we might (but probably won’t) need. I like to be prepared. 

Being prepared for a vacation is good, but being prepared for my time with the Lord each day is even better. 

In Matthew 25:1-13, Jesus told a parable about ten virgins who were waiting to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were wise and brought extra oil for their lamps. The other five were foolish and didn’t. The five wise virgins who were prepared were able to join the bridegroom at the banquet. The others were off buying more oil for their lamps when the bridegroom came. They missed the celebration because they hadn’t prepared properly. 

Sometimes, many of us are like the unprepared virgins. We want to spend time with the Lord on a daily basis, but, because we don’t prepare properly, it rarely happens. Maybe we don’t get to bed on time, so we snooze through what should have been our time with God. Or maybe we wake up early, excited to spend time in the Word, but then can’t find our Bible anywhere. We haven’t prepared a space to meet with God. 

Or maybe it’s our hearts that aren’t prepared. Maybe our space is ready, but our minds are all over the place, thinking about what needs to be done throughout the day. Psalm 46:10 says, “Be still, and know that I am God.” In other words, quiet your mind so you can hear what He wants to tell you. 

What can you do TODAY to prepare for your time with the Lord TOMORROW?