At the ready

So roll up your sleeves, get your head in the game, be totally ready to receive the gift that’s coming when Jesus arrives. Don’t lazily slip back into those old grooves of evil, doing just what you feel like doing. You didn’t know any better then; you do now. As obedient children, let yourselves be pulled into a way of life shaped by God’s life, a life energetic and blazing with holiness. God said, “I am holy; you be holy.” (I Peter 1:13)

Be Ready! This might be the words some are holding onto this year, having endured much in the past year that almost did them in, but hopeful for great things in the new year. What does a state of readiness look like? In the military, when we were told to be ready, it meant rucksack and duffle packed, all the supplies we'd need at the ready, and our schedules so flexible we could leave at a moment's notice. In the medical profession, when were put on standby, it required us to be able to respond within thirty minutes of notification we were needed. Readiness declares there has been preparation and now we wait!

The past year may have been tough, but now you wait! Probably one of the hardest things to do when we are wafting is to actually do it with grace and uninterrupted connection. It is easy to get complacent when our answer doesn't immediately come - when our 'marching orders' aren't clear, and our heart desire is to 'just get on with it'. Complacency might interrupt our communication with the one we are waiting upon, right? When we were 'at the read' for orders to come down in the military, or on call to respond should emergencies require medical response, it was difficult to endure that 'waiting' and to maintain 'connection' with those we were waiting to hear from in order to respond as we should.

We remained in the area, kept cell phone or pager charged and on, and we had everything we needed for the 'next move' at our disposal. Maybe God has been preparing you, putting you 'at the ready' with everything you require for this next chapter of your life, and now you wait. Don't lose heart - God puts us 'at the ready' because he knows we are prepared. Don't break that connection with him. His next move in your life is coming - remain ready, connected, and responsive. Remember, it isn't our timing that moves us forward, but his. Just sayin!