Always Be Prepared...

Ezra 7:6-10, 27

Even though Ezra was an exile in the land of Babylon, he was devoted to studying and obeying God's Word.  When God called Ezra to go back to Jerusalem, in God's perfect timing, he was already prepared and he faithfully responded.  Ezra found what we will find in similar circumstances: when we know and obey God's word, when we prepare and faithfully respond when God calls us, then nothing will hinder God's will from coming to pass.  The best part... when we do it God's way, God gets ALL the glory!

In college I felt a strong calling upon the Lord to teach His Word.  I even went forward one Sunday night at church for a "call to ministry".  Several of the pastors at my home church told me that they were not surprised, but were actually waiting for God to reveal that call to me.  However, as time passed and I became a wife and mother, that calling seemed to go on the back burner to my life circumstances.  With babies at home, teaching was impossible!  I was just trying to have time to have a personal quiet time with the Lord!

However, when my oldest daughter was 6 months old, I felt like God telling me to be faithful where I was then!  I began to write devotionals on this blog.  I knew I wanted to teach His Words, so as He revealed nuggets of Himself to me, I would simply write them here for "safe-keeping". 

This spring, the Lord allowed me to witness, like Ezra, the gracious movement to walk in His will in His perfect timing.  In a two month period, all of a sudden, I was asked to write two devotionals for the Women's ministry at my church and speak at two events.  My personal life was crazy at the time.  My oldest was/is super emotional as she prepares to go off to Kindergarten and my husband's work life was chaos.  I was so blessed by the opportunity to finally speak His Words to others, but personally was struggling to find the time!  However, because I was faithful to prepare for the "one day" I would teach HisWord, I was able to use two devotionals I had already written a year prior.  In God's timing, the devotionals were shared. 

All this to say... If God has placed a calling on your life and you have a restless spirit right now because you don't see how it is possible to do that call today... pray and seek where you can be faithful to start preparing today.  David had a passion to build the Lord a temple, however the Lord gave that calling to Solomon.  David did not begrudge God's decision, but spent time preparing and collecting supplies so that Solomon could do a great job in God's timing! 

Always be prepared!  God waste nothing when we give everything to Him!