My family and I recently got back from our annual week long beach vacation. I always look forward to a week away with my guys, especially at the beach. We have camped in the past but this year I am pregnant so my sweet husband splurged on renting a condo for us. I am a little spoiled! We had a great time, the weather was perfect, and we had some wonderful family time that we desperately needed.
One thing remains the same whether we are camping or renting a condo…I had to prepare and pack to be away from home for a week and to supply all of our needs. We don’t eat out for every meal, I normally cook which greatly cuts down on costs, but I have to be thorough in my planning and packing to make sure I have whatever we may need. As most people do, I try to prepare for the journey that will lie ahead.
As I was typing my last post the verse from 1 Kings 19:7 really jumped out at me, “Rise up and eat or the journey ahead will be too much for you.” Yes, the Angel of the Lord was telling Elijah to get up and eat, but what really struck me was “or the JOURNEY ahead will be too much for you”. I know and understand that the angel was speaking of actual food that was brought and prepared for Elijah, but how often do we face a trial or a spiritual journey and we haven’t “eaten” before we started? I’ve heard it said before that you are either going into a storm or coming out of one, so be prepared; that is so true! You will face many storms and go through many trials and journeys throughout your life. Ephesians 6:13 says to “put on the full armor of God so that you will be prepared when the evil one comes and when you have done all that you can do, stand firm”. In other words, the day of the evil one is coming, be prepared!
God never said that you won’t face any trials, in fact He said the exact opposite…you will and you need to be ready!
We are starting to face our mountain and I can’t tell you how much time I have spent in God’s word, in prayer, and talking with our family and spiritual advisors. I have been “eating” up God’s presence and preparing myself for the journey ahead. I feel prepared for what lies ahead. I feel at peace with our decision and the journey that we are about to take. I think I have it all “packed and ready to go”. I haven’t stopped “eating”, but continue to fill myself up on His word so that I can stay grounded and level headed through this process. I am thankful that I have been able to prepare for this journey for months. I knew it was coming as it is a journey we are electing to take; even though it is necessary, it will be hard and difficult. Our prayer as we climb this mountain is that God will be glorified in the end and that we will see the answers to our prayers and that HIS will is done.
All this got me to thinking though, how often are we faced with spiritual journeys that seem to have come out of nowhere? In those times when we feel blindsided by a life event that launched us down a path that we weren’t quite prepared to take, how do we prepare for those type circumstances and journeys? My answer is simple, we have to prepare now for the inevitable. Just like scripture says, “put on the full armor of God so that WHEN the day of the evil one comes, you will be prepared”. It is coming, ready or not. It is imperative that we stay focused on God and stay in His word. It’s the only way to prepare for life’s struggles and hardships, but also to glorify God in the storms and in the joys of life.
My challenge for you is to prepare for the journey. Pack your bags! Rise up and eat! If you don’t then you won’t be prepared for the journey ahead.
Life on E Street 