Excellence in Preparation
Has there ever been a time in your life where you did not feel as prepared for something as you should have been? I can recall to mind early examples of this in my life – in High School, I was much more focused on football rather than academics. I had my fair share of assignments, quizzes, and tests in High School that I should have been prepared for, but alas, I was not. This resulted in being a mediocre student and “just getting by” rather than excelling. Now as an adult, I have many opportunities to choose between “just getting by” or “excelling still more” (1 Thessalonians 4:10).
As a follower of Christ, you are called to an exemplar life – a life characterized by excellence. Excellence in your conduct. Excellence in your worship. Excellence in your preaching. Excellence in your relationships. Excellence in your leadership. Excellence in your preparation. The list goes on. This is not possible in and of ourselves, however. It comes by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. Without the Holy Spirits indwelling work in each man, he may be seeking a moral life marked by earthly goals. However, with the indwelling work of the Holy Spirit, a man is able to seek those things which are above (Colossians 3:1), to seek first His kingdom and His righteousness (Matthew 6:33), and pursue a life marked by endurance which produces character (Romans 5:4).
As you read this and examine your life, is it one that is abundant in bearing Godly fruit (Galatians 5:22-23), or one marked by bearing false fruit (Proverbs 10:9; Proverbs 26:26). A life characterized by always doing the easiest thing is one that I would contend is “just getting by”, rather than “excelling still more”. If you are lacking Godly fruit, it is likely because you lack depth of roots – or for that matter – no roots at all.
We live in the most comfortable time in the history of the world – how do you think that might be affecting you mentally, physically, and spiritually? Think about the life of King David in the Old Testament. Thing about his battle with Goliath. We often gloss over this story with pride because we believe we already have the whole story figured out. Think about this:
David had a history of doing hard things.
David had a holy disgust for a man who was cursing Yahweh.
David was prepared physically.
David was prepared spiritually.
David was prepared mentally.
Due to David’s diligence as a shepherd boy and commitment to Yahweh, David’s preparation helped in three distinct ways: 1. David’s preparation actually helped save his nation. 2. David’s preparation was beyond himself (it was for his fellow man and country). 3. David’s preparation began with and was deeply rooted in who God is.
As Goliath stood across the valley of Elah shouting curses at God and screaming “GIVE ME A MAN” – a little shepherd boy took offense to the vile cursing of Yahweh. Put yourself in the shoes of David, King Saul, or any other Israelite that day. A man came forward day after day cursing insults to Yahweh, screaming “GIVE ME A MAN”, and no man stepped forward… except for a little shepherd boy.
Where are all the men today? Where are the men who are willing to stand up against culture and men who are not embracing who God has made them to be? I say, with Goliath, “GIVE ME A MAN!” Men, are you seeking comfort, or are you digging deep in your physical, spiritual, and mental preparation?
A couple of questions for you to consider:
Are you prepared physically? What do your habits say about WHO you are? David was prepared to face Goliath and defend the name of Yahweh – are you?
Are you prepared mentally? How do you faithfully renew your mind as Romans 12:2 states? When you prepare yourself mentally, what happens?
Are you prepared spiritually? What does your spiritual training look like? Are you allowing the above two to impact the most important aspect of who you are?
We are in a comfort crises of sorts. Men, we are called to more than sleeping in, slothfulness, laziness, and comfort. David wasted no time defending Yahweh, and this shepherd boy saved his nation that day through the sovereign workings of Yahweh. David was prepared. Are you?
The Lord deserves our best. He has given you breath in your lungs, blood in your veins, and a mind to renew. How are you preparing in excellence? The end goal is to be used by the Lord for His purposes. Are you ready to be used?