Prepare

The single word that defines where I am. When I think of where I want to be and who I want to be this word continually comes to mind. Listening to a message online earlier from Pastor Mark Zweifel  I was challenged to focus, hang on and to continue to let God prepare me. He knows exactly where I am and where He wants to take me (including what it takes to get me there). It was a challenge that in whatever field or capacity God has called us that we have an obligation to invest ourselves to the season of preparation so we can be the very best teacher, pastor, nurse, business man, or in my case social worker. To step up and not just slide by in preparation, but to invest fully there and do all that is required of us so we can come out of this time best equipped to serve.

Anxiously I want this preparation in this capacity to be complete, but I can't just "check out". There is an expectation that God has that as He shapes my heart, dreams, desires, etc. that I still be faithful and obedient where He has placed me. In prayer the other morning He told me He is more concerned with my development than my comfort. It's all about being prepared. I love looking up definitions of words...even those I know the definition of caused you'd be surprised what you can learn....I look up prepare and these are the definitions offered by Webster:

- a: To make ready beforehand for some purpose, use, or activity
- b: : to work out the details of : plan in advance

Funny thing is that I can be prepared despite my knowledge of the 2nd definition offered here. I know fully that God is making me ready beforehand for some purpose or use. And yet God is not yet fully revealing the details or the plan in advance. He knows exactly how to work this all out and at this point He is asking that I allow Him to prepare me and that I'd be faithful there even if I don't know the details. Probably good I don't know the details...I'd be too quick to try to make it happen as I saw fit...instead I'm being reminded often that I need to focus on what He has already told me (school, etc) and for the rest I have to submit it to prayer and take it one day or some days it is one step and moment at a time.

I'm excited for what God is starting to share with me, the desires and burden He has put on my heart. He's going to continue to develop it as I dedicate myself to the place He has placed me for now and as I pray and prepare towards the direction He is guiding.

In the words of Jen....I'm thankful that God has all of this worked out and in order all ready...He sees it all at a glance and keeps it all in balance...AND He doesn't even need a secretary! Haha :)