Be Prepared!

"I'll be by your side wherever you fall; in the dead of night whenever you call. And please don't fight these hands that are holding you. My hands are holding you." "I, I love you! I want you to know that I, yeah I love you! I'll never let you go!" These lyrics from Tenth Avenue North's song "By Your Side" remind us that God is with us. I really like this song because it is written in the perspective of God talking to us. Many songs are written as us singing to God. This one reminds us that He is with us and talks to us, too.

The central verse for tonight is Luke 12:47: "'That servant who knows his master's will and does not get ready or does not do what his master wants will be beaten with many blows.'" (NIV) We must be prepared for our various tasks and endeavors or suffer the consequences.

To be an effective leader, you must be properly prepared. You wouldn't go to work without first getting ready, ensuring that you have what you need, and then heading out, right? The same applies to leadership endeavors. Be prepared.

Maxwell presents four areas to check as we begin a venture: assessment, alignment, attitude, and action. Ask the right questions to be sure that you and your team are ready. He says, "Good alignment makes success possible," meaning that preparations must be lined up properly. A good, positive attitude about your situation, team, and yourself is essential. All of that leads up to actually taking action when the right time comes. (Maxwell)

Above all, remember to keep God in your plans! He is essential to healthy growth and success!

The reflection question tonight asks, "How prepared are you for your next endeavor?" Use Maxwell's four A's mentioned above to help ensure that you are properly prepared. I am getting ready for graduate school. I have started preparations, including taking the entrance exam, completing my application, and following up with necessary paperwork to various departments. I have continued preparations, and I am still in the process of getting ready. Classes start in August, and I will probably be preparing right up until the day they start, and even further.

Whatever your plans are, commit them to the Lord! "Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed." (Proverbs 16:3, NIV) God, the Ultimate Leader, is in control! Nothing you do should be done without Him. Remember that!

God bless you!