Lisa Notes: Are you prepared?

He prepared for me.
Have I prepared for him?

“Are you ready for Christmas?”
It’s December small talk.

And technically, no, I’m not ready.
I still have gifts to wrap. More to buy. Cards to write.

Sometimes I prepare well.
I set a nice table. I light the candles. I choose mood music.
It makes a difference.

John prepared for Jesus (Matthew 3:2-3).
He set hearts on edge.
“Wake up! Get ready! He’s coming!”

Jesus prepared for the cross (John 17:11).
He made disciples. He loved thoroughly.
He met his mission.

God prepared for me (Ephesians 2:10).
I am his fabric, designed for beautiful creations.
Knowing the path I’ll walk, He’s laid out provisions for my journey.

Am I prepared to use them?

Not just for Christmas, although there is a mission there, too.
Am I prepared for a new year? Am I prepared for new works?

Some are shaping before my eyes. Some I can’t even imagine yet.

But He has imagined them.
He’s prepared them for me.

He’s lined up perfect gifts of grace for each footstep,
each ready for hand-delivery as I walk in range.

Will my heart be ready?

Am I preparing now for what’s to come later?
Am I studying? Am I praying?
Am I loving higher and wider and deeper?

He’s prepared a gift for me to use.
Will I be prepared to give it?
It could make a difference.

For we are his workmanship,
created in Christ Jesus for good works,
which God prepared beforehand,
that we should walk in them.
Ephesians 2:10

* * *

Are you ready for Christmas? For 2012?

+1 Vote up Vote down

monicasharman 18p · 693 weeks ago

Our family was just talking about that Ephesians verse yesterday. Also, thinking of John the Baptist preparing the way, and searching to see if I have a repentant heart, a prepared way for the Lord.
My recent post How to Sing Christmas Carols

0 Vote up Vote down

Kelly · 693 weeks ago

Love this. preparing the way. thank you for these penetrating questions- i'll sit with them tomorrow morning :) blessings to you from Uganda
My recent post Live as Light

Messy Marriage · 693 weeks ago

This reminds me of the parable of the ten virgins who needed to prepare for the coming "Bridegroom." I think we all need to remember to prepare ourselves for the "Bridegroom" while on earth and for the day He comes to get redeem His bride. I don't do this enough. I want to. Thanks for inspiring me today, Lisa!
My recent post How to Develop Your Identity

floyd · 693 weeks ago

Too... Many... Questions... .... Feeling-faint... Head-spinnig... Can't... Stop-it...

That was my Batman impression from the original TV series. Pretty good huh?

The questions are relevant. They're hard to ask ourselves, because I think even at our best, we know He has a little more for us. Thanks for the reminder.

Okay, I won't use the Batman thing again... For awhile...
My recent post THE STING

1 reply · active 693 weeks ago

Lisa notes 103p · 693 weeks ago

I'm hearing the Batman theme song in my head now. ;-)
I need to go back and ask the questions to myself regularly.
My recent post He comes, and I must sing

brian · 693 weeks ago

MM nailed it...it was the virgins with the lamp for me...and so true...

happygirl · 693 weeks ago

I'm preparing my heart for Christmas, but my baking isn't done. :)

emilytwierenga 46p · 693 weeks ago

i tend to just try and survive this time of the year instead of putting work into preparing my heart... thank you for this beautiful reminder, dear lisa. xo
My recent post imperfect prose on thursdays: when mothers get sick (and first-ever christmas giveaway!)

barbarah 65p · 693 weeks ago

Very good thoughts on preparation. Some years back I encountered the idea from some women that to be Spirit-filled one needed to be spontaneous, that to plan ahead was taking things into out own hands rather than letting the Spirit work through us. But He modeled preparation and works in and through preparation all the time. We get such strange ideas when we veer from the Word.
My recent post It’s Moving Day….

I've heard that theory, too, Barbara, and I don't buy it either. While I do know and have seen that the Spirit indeed can and DOES move spontaneously, he also can move in me a week ahead of an event--helping me prepare--instead of waiting until the moment of execution. Then he can continue to fill us both in the moment and as he did at the time of preparation.
My recent post He comes, and I must sing

Kati · 693 weeks ago

Ihhhh... I'm not prepared and I don't think I really want to be prepared! I am really appreciating being in this phase and want to get as much as I can from it before moving into a new year (although the new year will hopefully bring me a new home which has me quite eager). Hmmm... do I need to start preparing? Thanks for getting me thinking, as always
My recent post Christmas has gone global!

alymae 22p · 693 weeks ago

Ah! I'm using these verses and questions with my kiddos tonight in Christmas devotions. What a great reminder that he prepared for us! Great post, friend. Blessings! Alyssa