STARTING TODAY, HOW CAN YOU BETTER PREPARE FOR GOD'S PURPOSE FOR YOUR LIFE?

STARTING TODAY, HOW CAN YOU BETTER PREPARE FOR GOD’S PURPOSE FOR YOUR LIFE?

 

Should there be any question about our willingness to prepare for our current or later-in-life mission? But being the mere humans that we are, some of us duck and dart and avoid the topic as if we are playing a game of dodge ball. It’s important to remember that God knows every detail of the beginning, middle, and end of your story. He knows you intimately, and he can be fully trusted to prompt you about the next step to take.

 

Have you asked him lately what you can do to prepare for his unique purpose for your life, especially for your later years when you may have more discretionary time? Just remember the old saying: “Be careful what you ask for. You just might get it!” What if you asked him to tell you what your next step should be, and he did! Would you do it? Would you, in preparation for greater assignments to come, do what he asked of you today?

 

TO PREPARE OR NOT TO PREPARE?

 

In what way is God asking you to prepare for his plan for your life? Does he want you to get an accountability partner, listen to a wise counselor, save money regularly, or join a brand-new ministry? Does he want you to take a Bible class or keep a written record of your spiritual journey? What if he told you to practice perseverance, humility, or mercy? Do you think he wants you to take on a leadership role, be more grateful, believe that your life matters enormously to him, or show up in a difficult place where he is already at work? Mary Lance Sisk, author of The Macedonian Project prayer journal, is preparing for her next assignment in a rather bold fashion.

 

MARY LANCE SISK IS PREPARING FOR WHATEVER GOD ASKS OF HER

 

Mary Lance is married to her childhood sweetheart and has four children (one other is deceased) and nine grandchildren. She was brought up by parents who encouraged her to give back to her community. She wrote a prayer journal for missionaries serving in the former USSR, which is now being used by Campus Crusade for Christ. She has also written a book, Love Your Neighbor as Yourself: Blessing Your Neighborhood through Love and Prayer. She is honored to currently serve on the board of directors of Mission America, a ministry designed to mobilize Christian leaders and individual Christians to reach America for Jesus Christ.

 

Mary Lance accepted a relationship with Jesus at age thirtyeight and immediately began to spend time alone with him each day in prayer and meditation. She has a hunger and thirst to know God and to help others do the same. She enjoys mentoring younger women, especially in the classical disciplines of solitude, silence, prayer, and spiritual fasting.

 

Mary Lance prepares for God’s dream for her life by regularly listening to him and learning to obey his Word and promptings. She prays and practices Psalm 37:5, “Commit your way to the LORD,” because she knows that obedient commitment is the key to the fulfillment of God’s mission.

 

She says, “The best preparation is a way of life that moves you toward holiness. For example, it is important to begin your day in prayer and to read God’s Word with an attitude of listening. It is also helpful to keep a journal about what the Lord is saying to you, including the steps and results of your obedience. And it is wise to end your day by making sure that you are not harboring any sin in your heart.”

 

Starting Today, How Can You Better Prepare for God’s Purpose for Your Life? The Foolish Virgins Weren’t Prepared

 

Five foolish virgins were rejected by the bridegroom for not having enough oil for their lamps. Read the parable of the ten virgins in Matthew 25:1–13. Have you ever read this parable and thought to yourself: How could these women not have been ready for the most important event of their lives? How might this story apply to you?

 

SCRIPTURE TO PONDER

 

[Jesus said,] “I have brought you glory on earth by completing the work you gave me to do.” (John 17:4)

 

SUGGESTED PRAYER

 

Dear Lord, with all my heart, I, _________, want to be able to say that I have brought you glory on earth by completing the work you gave me to do. Today I pray that you will prepare me well for whatever new or ongoing assignment you have in mind for me. I am ready, willing, and able to follow your lead.

 

So . . . What Insight, Prayer, or Action Step Has God Laid on Your Heart Today?