By nature, I’m a procrastinator. Making plans and preparations for anything is not really my kind of thing.

My wife, on the other hand, is a planner. She is always making preparations and planning on getting her work done well before the final due date. It drives me crazy. Why would I want to do that right now when I’ve got plenty of time to do it later? Let me enjoy life now, and I’ll be stressed out about it later. You know what I mean?

 

I personally don’t think there’s anything wrong with procrastinating (as long as you get it done on time), but I wonder how much of this mindset we have allowed to invade our American Christianity. It is striking how many times in the Bible that God is either telling someone to prepare themselves for something He is going to do, or He is just preparing them Himself. I mean look at it, it’s nuts. And it drives this procrastinator crazy! Why is He always doing this?

 

Well there’s a long, really long, and kinda short answer. I’ll give you the third. I believe that God is constantly stressing the need for us to prepare ourselves for His work because we don’t think like God. We don’t see things like God. And, we definitely don’t work like God. It takes preparation  to do something amazing, out of the ordinary, truly fantastic, and this is the kind of stuff God specializes in. What’s more, it takes preparation to notice the genius of God. So, if I’m not preparing myself properly I very well could miss the miracle right in front of me.

 

And so, my worry extends to how we approach worship and weeks like this one. I fear that all too many of us procrastinate in preparing ourselves (meaning we don’t) for how God is going to work during our times of worship. We show up at the last minute, say a quick prayer, and ask the question, “What do you got for me?” Can you see the problem?

 

It’s Easter week, and as I have been planning for our services it has really struck me how Christ lived a life of preparation. Not only did he take this particular week to prepare Himself for what was coming, but His entire life was lived in a way so as to prepare for what God was doing. That way, when it came time, He didn’t miss it. I could give so many examples, but just trust me that when you think about it it is a little overwhelming and a lot humbling. 

 

It’s a big week, and I don’t think God wants to waste it. What preparations are you making so that you can recognize where and when He is working? How are you making plans to meet with Him this week? Are you showing up like a consumer asking for instant gratification with little to no input on your part, or are you approaching as a servant would, expectantly hoping to hear a word from the master? Or, better yet, a child who has planned for this time with their Father and set everything else aside so nothing gets in the way? It takes planning to free up both our schedules and our minds. Take these few days to prepare for what your Heavenly Father has for you this week.

 

P.S. Our Procrastinators Anonymous meeting has been pushed back to next Tuesday. 😉 Have a GREAT EASTER!