The Year of Preparedness

The following was in the February edition of the Coosa Journal.  The Coosa County Sheriff’s Office vision for 2013 is The Year of Preparedness and this was the monthly challenge related to that vision.

· Define the word: Prepare: “To make ready or qualified; to equip.”  Adjective: Preparedly

· Define the word: Preparation: “The process of preparing for something.”

The goal is to be ready.  Timothy was told to be ready “in season and out of season.” (2 Timothy 4:2)  With this in mind, CCSO staff are challenged to make this year one that you are always ready to be what you have been called to be, LAWMEN/PEACEKEEPERS.  Do so when it is convenient and when it is not convenient ; when it is popular and it is not popular.  This means you are willing to lay aside the dictates of popular culture, tradition, reputation, acceptance, or esteem in the community to do all that is required.  As a LAWMAN/PEACEKEEPER you must never alter your commitment to the oath you have taken and be constant and consistent.  This preparation will come from being fit and fed in your mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being,  

Now, here is the blog:

Paul was writing to the young preacher boy, his son in the ministry Timothy, these words:

“Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.” (2 Timothy 4:2 KJV)

This is the challenge to all of us.  Every single one of us who serve the King of kings must be prepared.  We are saved, called, and sent out which means we must “study to show ourselves approved…” (2 Timothy 2:15).  It was Dr. Darrell Robinson who wrote a book several years ago that described the church as Equipping the Saints, Exalting the Savior, and Evangelizing the World.

Dr. Luke writes in the book of Acts, that the church was preparing and penetrating the darkness:

“And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. 43 And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles. 44 And all that believed were together, and had all things common; 45 And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need. 46 And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, 47 Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.” (Acts 2:42-47 KJV)

Rick Warren in his popular book titled The Purpose Driven Life, and in his other book, The Purpose Driven Church, breaks this down into five things the church must do to survive in the world, and prepare for eternity:

v Fellowship

v Discipleship

v Worship

v Ministry

v Evangelism

I am afraid this is where we are missing the boat as a church, and in countless numbers of organizations around the world.  We have those who want to be a part, get the “bling” and go on their merry way, with no thought of being a real, vital, integral, and involved part of the body to which they have joined.

Let us say that this organization is one in which the member receives credentials.  Maybe it is an identification card, a name tag, or maybe even a badge of some kind that gives the sign of authority or access.  The new member receives these things upon joining or being accepted into the organization, carries out whatever minimal standards required to maintain membership, but the rest of the time they are just satisfied with their “bling.”

So it goes with many in the church today.  They are happy to announce they are member of such and such church, contribute financially to that church in some small way, but the rest of the time they are rarely seen and rarely heard from.  They may not even contribute at all, financially, and they still consider themselves a faith part of the body.  Satisfied with a courtesy membership to the church, but stunted and stale in a life that could give joy, hope and abundant life.

Oh my, how sad that it is.  As a believer-not as a preacher or pastor-I want to dig deep down and plant myself fully and firmly in Jesus.  I want to mature and grow; learn and expand.  I do not desire, nor want, to be stunted and stale in my life as a believer; no, no!  I want to know His joy, His hope and His abundance showered upon me in all things.  I do not want to just be a member, with my name safely tucked away on the roster of the church, in a dirty, dusty office in the basement of the church facility.  No, I want all to know, by my coming and my going, that I am willing to do all within my power to be ready, equipped, prepared to fight the good fight and wage the war, as I share the wonder message of Christ with the World!

Will you join me in this adventure?