Are You Prepared? And If So, Why?

Elizabeth Myer Boulton recalls that, during the energy crisis, her grandmother “became obsessed with keeping the needle of her Buick’s gas gauge above three-quarters of a tank.”  When her husband questioned why they were waiting in line at the gas station again, she responded, “Well, Jimmy, of course we have to wait in line.  We’ve got to get that gas before the hoarders do!’” (“Christian Century,” 7/27/10, p 21).

Nellie Myer wanted to be ready for anything.  People who are ready for anything may not leave home unless they look their best because they fear someone would look down on them if they didn’t.  Some fear they’ll need band-aids, gum, tissues, or a screwdriver, immediately, so they carry a huge handbag full of supplies.  Some fear that they’ll get old without someone to take care of them, so they have long-term insurance and enough money set aside for retirement.

None of this preparation is bad in itself.  Being ready for anything can save a lot of stress and sometimes save a life.  In Luke 12, Jesus says, “Do not be afraid, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Make purses for yourselves that do not wear out, an unfailing treasure in heaven, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

This scripture invites us to consider a subtle difference:  what drives your preparation?  Are you ready for anything out of fear?  Or are you ready for anything out of faith?

Jesus wants us to know that the life of fear is not fully the life of God.

So, how do we release our fears?  And how do we attain God’s kingdom?

Jesus responds to these two questions with one answer.  “Sell your possessions, and give alms. Make purses for yourselves that do not wear out, an unfailing treasure in heaven, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Luke 12:33-34).

Maybe we can compare this to “catch and release” fishing.  We fish for perishable rewards like square footage, exquisite food, and the look of youth.  Catching is second nature for Americans.  A&E has a reality TV show devoted to catching and not releasing, called “Hoarders.”  Hoarding is a symbol of how we catch things and hold on to them, out of fear.

The releasing is the difficult part.  Among your own possessions, can you picture one item in which you would find a sense of freedom by giving it away?  (Family members don’t count!)

Ironically, releasing our possessions back to God is one way that we can be ready for anything God wants us to do.  We find inner rewards when we are ready, not with the right look or the right tool, but with the right frame of mind, or the right words for a hurting friend, or an insight into how to help someone in need.  The best preparation for this type of readiness is time spent with God.

Maybe a century ago, R.A. Torrey commented about the effect of our prayers on our readiness for God’s way of life:  “The reason why many fail in battle is because they wait until the hour of battle. The reason why others succeed is because they have gained their victory on their knees long before the battle came … Anticipate your battles; fight them on your knees before temptation comes, and you will always have victory.”

Nellie Myer, with her Buick’s gas tank 3/4-full, took the future into her own hands.  Sometimes we do, too.  What would happen if we really left the future up to God?  Be ready for anything, not out of fear, but out of faith.  God already has given us everything we need.

Donna Hopkins Britt is pastor of Calvary Baptist Church, 608 Campbell Avenue, SW, Roanoke, web site, calvaryroanoke.org.


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