Preparation is work. Preparation is important. Think about your favorite training sequences. Arrow training the Flash in the Arrowverse was great because up to then Flash had just expected his speed to solve everything. Oliver showed him the dangers of pushing forward with no preparation. Perhaps your favorite is more old school than that.
The A-Team is known for two things: plans made by Hannibal and being locked up in rooms with plenty of tools and materials to build machines that ruined the days of those who locked them up. This all took work. I often wondered how a crossover between the A Team and MacGyver would have gone over. Both prepare well and plan well. They could be serious annoyances to each other…or they could be a united force to be reckoned with.
Or we could go back further and look at Rocky. He worked tirelessly day in and day out to get into that big fight. Sparring, jumping rope, and yes, running up those iconic stairs.
Scripture warns us to be prepared for a variety of things. Paul warns us about being ready to share the Gospel in season and out of season in 2 Timothy 4:2. Jesus told us to count the cost of following Him in Luke 14:28-30. Hundreds of years earlier Moses gave the Israelites many instructions on preparing for various feasts and ceremonies.
But today we don’t seem to take this to heart. For centuries the church used Lent as a time to prepare for Holy Week. This often includes some form of fasting. Most people give up a food they often crave for the entire 40 days of Lent. But there are other ways to prepare for Holy Week. Some might attend church more often or add something simple such as praying more or doing a scripture reading plan. Normally there is a sense of preparation that includes inwardly investigating your own life and inner thoughts. Processing where you should grow in your walk with Jesus and seeking Him in confession and repentance.
While the idea of Lent is not presented in scripture, the purpose of it, to reflect on ourselves, to confess our sins, to walk in repentance, is spoken of in scripture, especially by John the Baptist. Here is something he said while preparing the way for Jesus first ministry.
John said to the crowds coming out to be baptized by him, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. And do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham. The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.”
Luke 3:7-9
We are about halfway through Lent. Sadly, many observe this time out of custom rather than true preparation. Even more sadly are those who do not prepare for Good Friday and Easter at all. If you are not already preparing spiritually for Good Friday and Easter, you can just start now without any fear. Here are a few ideas:
- Fast from tech until Easter by using your phone less. Less games, less time on social media, etc. Fill that time with family, reading, friends, etc.
- Give up a food you love until Easter.
- Pick a day and fast from food; using the eating time to pray and reflect on your need for Jesus or a scripture passage.
- Take more time for reflective walks or hikes.
- Find a reading plan and read scripture Monday through Saturday and attend church on Sunday.
Take a few moments, pray over this concept and ask the Holy Spirit for guidance. Every Christian should have a mix of various disciplines for walking with Jesus but let the Holy Spirit help you build your set.
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