I got the invitation like the rest
But what do I care? I’ll go anyway
Free food, free drinks, who says no?
They all were looking their best
But what do I care? I’ll have fun
Eat and drink all I want, who cares?
Or so I thought until I was called out
Looking unkempt, I was kicked out
Because the King was offended.

In line with learning to find and live God’s will against all odds, this is a continuation of our review of Abraham’s response when God asked the impossible of him: to sacrifice his son. After the discussion with God, Abraham didn’t put the news on social media which saved him some dramatic responses that could have spiked his blood pressure and probably killed him before he got the chance to do what he was asked. Instead, he got up the next morning and prepared to go do as God had asked him. No, he didn’t yank Isaac off his bed, throw a wailing boy on his back and run up the mountain to do God’s bidding. No. He prepared. He got the needed resources together and made himself ready to do as he was asked (Matthew 22:3.)

Several portions of the Scripture exhort us to always be prepared. Be prepared because we don’t know what we don’t know. Abraham was ready the next morning for the task ahead. He didn’t need what he didn’t already have for what God asked of Him. God never asks of us more than we can offer. Prepare your heart and whatever is needed. Usually God uses our everyday obedience to prepare us for what lies ahead or for a mission. Time to go is not the same as time to prepare. If we have been obedient in little things, we realize as the mission becomes clearer, that we have been made ready through our day to day obedience to God. Abraham didn’t need to go get what he hadn’t already for the journey, he simply put together what he already had which was exactly what was needed (Matthew 22:3.)

Proper preparation prevents embarrassment, disappointment and failure. Some of us jump into things without understanding and are soon overwhelmed. Some others take forever preparing we miss the timing and blessing. God never asks of us what we don’t have. When the instruction comes, it’s not time to go gathering but time to get what we have gathered thus far and go even if we don’t feel confident that what we have is enough. If you doubt this, ask the 5 foolish virgins who assumed the announcement was time to go get oil when others were heading in to meet the King. Of course, they got oil but it was too late and they were shut out. With God, timing is everything. (Matthew 25: 1-13.)

This reminds me of the preparation lesson God taught me weeks back using Matthew 22: 1-14. A King prepared a feast for His guest. When they showed up, it appeared everyone prepared in return to have a great time in the palace, in the King’s presence except this guy. He showed up with inappropriate clothing. Why would anybody do that? Well, we live in a generation that don’t care about anybody and anything but themselves. They don’t care about standards and values, anything goes. They feel entitled to do what they want, how and when they want to and get offended when others demand the same. Unfortunately, we forget that there are lines we can’t cross and when dared, they carry inescapable consequences. If the King prepared to be a great host, it is only due that we be prepared to be responsible guests at least. Unfortunately, the palace does not belong to our guy who doesn’t care so he was kicked out. The importance of preparation is one of life’s principles that is not hinged on whether we care on or not. We can’t beat it so better get ready.
(To be continued February 28, 2020)

Glory!