My word for 2015 has been readiness. I had no clue what to to expect of this year or what I would learn along the way. But the word intrigued me from the very beginning. It did bring some nice surprises along the way. For example, our family was lead to a huge trip to the other side of the world with a week’s notice. But mainly this study on readiness has taught me about what it means to be ready to follow Christ without hesitation.

Be dressed in readiness, and keep your lamps lit. (Luke 12:35, NASB)

I learned that being dressed in readiness requires daily surrender. And that daily surrender builds trust I need to readily follow Christ wherever he leads me. And when I completely trust God, peace beyond understanding follows. Then it doesn’t matter what the other people think of me.

And that’s important to acknowledge, folks. Because the more we are dressed in readiness, the crazier the world sees us. People think we are too religious. Too spiritual. Talk too much of Jesus. Go to church too often. Mix faith in everyday life. I could go on and on but you get the picture. This is the side effect of readiness to God. But I take it. I’d rather be the biggest fool in the world than be unready to follow God’s guidance. How about you?

And, friends, we are never left feeling shortchanged. We can never out give God. He is always far more generous than we can ever be. His blessings make our lives matter. His blessings create beauty in our lives. His blessings give meaning and purpose to our lives.

And that’s what I want. I don’t want to spend my life following what the entertainment industry produces. I want to spend my life in readiness to follow the living God. I want to experience God’s presence and power in my life. I want to be part whatever God is doing. Because only then I am fully alive. Nothing less will do.

 

Gracious God,
Thank you for calling us to be alert and ready for you.
Create more and more that readiness in us.
Fill every nook and cranny in us with your Holy Spirit.
We surrender to you, we trust you.
Thank you for your peace.
Give us more and more love for the people we meet.
Make us more like you.
Enable us to draw other people to you.
Thank you for this year, Lord.
Forgive us for the things we’ve done or let undone
that have dishonored you.
Create more readiness in us to follow you even more closely next year.
Pour out as much as grace as we need.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen

Q4U: Are you dressed in readiness?

Be blessed, my fellow pilgrim, as you embrace God’s grace for more readiness for him!

Image courtesy of  Mari-Anna Stålnacke.Linking up today with Unite the Bloggersphere.