As a young man, in my early twenties, I often went camping with friends. There were six of us this particular weekend and four had gone to the lake early to set up camp and reserve a spot for the remaining two. Scott and I were going to join them later that evening after work. It was late, we had not eaten and stopped at the grocery for extra snacks and something for supper.
We purchased a chicken and proceeded to the campground. There were no precooked chickens as many stores sell today. We were rugged young men, and we were ready for some good open-fire-roasted chicken.
Around 11:00 that evening after unpacking the car, we built a spit over the fire to roast our chicken. After about forty-five minutes that bird was browning and our growling stomachs were waking the neighboring campers. We were ready to eat but decided to wait a little longer making certain the chicken was cooked. By midnight we could no longer stand it.
That browned bird was coming off the spit and we were going to partake in a feast. Our friends who had eaten earlier were delighting in this. We placed that roasted chicken on a plate and set ourselves down on opposite sides of the picnic table with the chicken between us. We each grabbed a leg and began to twist. As we twisted, the red blood quickly surfaced from the undercooked chicken. That chicken didn’t crow or cluck, but our friends were laughing so hard that you could not have heard the chicken if it had.
Why were they laughing? We had set down for a feast, but we had not sufficiently prepared for the feast. (Learning did take place that night!) A few things in life may pass without preparation, but not the important arenas. Whatever you take on in life, you must surrender to the need for adequate preparation.
Jesus is part of the Triune God. Yet scripture accentuates His preparation. Jesus spent forty days in the wilderness in preparation before embarking on His three-and-a-half years of ministry. Jesus spent many nights praying—alone with the Father – preparing for the tasks of the days to follow. There were no seminaries, no commentaries for Jesus or His disciples. There were very few copies of the written word, and they were not readily available to the common public. Still, being fully human, Jesus knew the necessity of preparation.
We do not possess the abilities God had in Jesus when He walked on earth. However, He has given us more resources for preparation than any other period in history. How do you make use of resources as you prepare for your role as God’s instrument to others? Are you detailed in your preparation or do you rely on past education and experience? Spend time with God today, inquiring of what you can do with Him to improve your preparation and delivery.
George Yates is an Organizational Health Strategist and coach, assisting churches, organizations, and individuals in pursuing God’s purpose for life. Click here to receive this blog in your email inbox each Tuesday.