"On the day I called, You answered me;
You emboldened me and strengthened my soul."
~ Psalm 138:3
I believe it's clear time and time again in Scripture that God the Father wants us to walk through our days on this earth intentionally aware and prepared for anything that may come our way.
We may not be expecting that specific turn of events, and yes, no matter how prepared we think we are, we may still occasionally suffer a glancing blow, but hopefully we won't get popped in the nose. Ya know what I mean?
Consider Joseph. Seven years of preparation in plenty for seven years of famine. On guard and prepared.
Think of the ant in Proverbs, truly one of my favorite string of verses in the Bible. We are called on to observe their ways and be wise... "Without a commander, without an overseer or ruler, it prepares its provisions in summer, it gathers its food at harvest." Diligence and preparation.
And then, of course, there's the anchor foundational instruction of Paul in Ephesians...
We are to put on the full armor of God.
And, we must.
These are just three classic examples.
Beyond that, there is the eternal preparedness, having our oil never knowing the day or time He will call us home or perhaps even return. But, for the moment, I'm thinking in terms of earthly preparedness.
Come what may, how can we make ourselves ready to meet the demands and expectations of time here on earth, both from a Kingdom purpose legacy perspective, as well as day-to-day life; the latter having a critical role in the former?
It does come down to the small daily choices.
It comes down to how we choose to begin our day and/or how we make ready for any task.
It comes down to what we choose to put in our bodies, how we choose to nourish them, how we choose to honor them by moving and stretching and hydrating.
It comes down to whether we choose to use the snooze button and how often we push it.
When we're willing to begin our day, first with God, of course, whether through prayer or time in Scripture. Whatever it is, we put Him first, giving Him the first and best we have to offer of our fruit. But also, getting ourselves in a right mind.
When we prepare ourselves for whatever might be ahead by choosing joy and positivity and gratitude, choosing that powerful frame of mind before anything else has a chance to get in the way, sets us up to do the work the day has in store and the Lord has in store.
Waking up in the morning and choosing to see and know, choosing to take stock of our blessings and the ways He shows up in our world, the ways He provides, postures us to take on the world in a whole different way on a whole other level.
In so doing, we put on that full armor. Some people even make the physical motions of placing the helmet of salvation on their head, securing the breastplate of righteousness, taking up the shield of faith, cinching on that girding of Truth, lacing up the Gospel of Peace, and grasping tight the sword of the Spirit with both hands, standing fierce as a warrior of the Most High.
In personal development circles, that kind of ritual is often called priming. I love when I know roots for something fashionably utilized and useful can be found in Scripture.
It's sort of like priming a pump, yes? You have to prepare it to do its job well. And, when you think about it, why would we be any different, really?
So, physiologically, how can we prepare ourselves to be primed and ready for whatever the day or the Father have for us?
You can take a moment to be present in the present moment, in your current space and environment. You can observe your senses. What are you seeing? Hearing? What do you smell?
You can breathe deep cleansing breaths that let go of worry and lean into the Creator, the Creator who breathed that very breath into your lungs. Inspire (ie: breathe) and be inspired.
You can pay attention to your heartbeat. If it helps, find your pulse in your wrist or neck. Maybe even put your hand over your heart and feel it beat, thankful for the miracle of every pump.
You can pray. Thank Him for His gifts and blessings in your life, as many as you can think of.
Take that moment to choose Him, to tell Him so, to offer your life up, fully surrendered anew. Get present to who you are and whose you are. Get conscious and aware of your day, of what He is calling you to, and prayerfully step out in faith, step up into the person He is calling out, the child He is calling you to be.
Then, in the full duality of being fully vulnerable to Him, while also being fully armed and protected, you can call on the strength and love and joy and peace of the Father, by of the Son, infused through the Holy Spirit, and move through this world in an otherworldly way.
It truly is remarkable. And, who you get to be when you make the effort to be primed and ready is likewise truly remarkable.
You're a powerhouse child of the Creator of the heavens and the earth. Whatever He has before you, from the extraordinary to the day-to-day, you can do this...
With Him.
You are blessed and a blessing.
Jump up and down, dance, laugh, sing a song of praise, and get yourself ready to rock this day, to own this thing called life, the gift of being. Yes? Thank you for choosing to live powerfully in and for and through Him. The world needs you in all of your magnificent muchness.
Dear God,
You see this beautiful child of Yours. You know their vulnerabilities, and Your armor stands impenetrable. Thank You for helping each of Your children remember to walk through this world well girded, well armed, and well prepared, while also shining the light of Your presence and being an example of Your joy, a vessel for Your peace in the world.
You have given us this gift of life, thank You for helping us to live it out well, in and through all the gifts of You,
This we pray in the name of Jesus,
Amen.
"The prudent see danger and take cover, but the simple keep going and suffer the consequences." ~ Proverbs 22:3
"Why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ but not do what I say? I will show you what he is like who comes to Me and hears My words and acts on them: He is like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid his foundation on the rock. When the flood came, the torrent crashed against that house but could not shake it, because it was well built." ~ Luke 6:46-48
"Be on the alert. Stand firm in the faith. Be men of courage. Be strong." ~ 1 Corinthians 16:13
May the Good Lord bless you and keep you, friends... always, in all ways. Amen.
Bonus song of praise... ♥
Sharables! ...and, hey, thanks for sharing. ♥
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