Recently member of our church prepared an amazing meal - rice, pita, seasoned chicken, and tomato-cucumber salad. It was delicious.
“How long did it take to prepare all this?”
“About an hour,” she replied.
“If I were a King and [pointing to another staff member], and she was a Queen, how long then would have you spent preparing it?”
She laughed and without batting an eye said, “A week.”
A lot of life is about preparation. Spend a moment thinking of how you have prepared for dates, weddings, arrival of newborns, vacations, retirement, and special times with family and friends.
God prepares, too. He prepares with you and I in mind. “I saw the Holy City,” writes John. “The new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven... prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband” (Rev. 21.2). David writes, “You prepare a table for me in the midst of my enemies” (Ps. 23:5).
Preparation is important concept in the Kingdom of God. This is especially true with regard to Sunday mornings. While “outsiders” may enter the Sanctuary with a sense of detached curiosity, we are different. We enter his courts knowing he will reveal his glory and power (Ps. 63:2). There is a direct correspondence between the expectations of any given event and our preparation of that same event. An imminent encounter with the Holy Spirit needs to be rightfully reflected in one’s preparation to enter the Holy of Holies
Preparation takes many forms. When I was a child I polished my shoes every saturday night (took about a-half hour). But, as adults, we understand that preparation is primarily a discipline of the heart - creating a highway of holiness, lowering mountains and raising valleys (Luke 3.4-6) and getting humble before the Lord our God (Mic. 6.8). How is this done? Primarily by consecrating a designated period of time for him beforehand. Some marinate in the Scriptures to be preached. Others get in a full night’s rest. Still others arrive at church early to sit, simply “being” before the Lord in intentional silence (Ps. 46.10).
A prepared congregation changes everything - songs become more sincere, prayers become more natural, expressions of worship (lifting of hands, kneeling, bowing, etc.) become less mechanical and more authentic, and fellowship becomes refreshingly transparent, laced with with God’s grace and healing. Preparation is the spice of our worship. Let’s take all week to get there!
I prepare my heart, I prepare my mind,
To receive the precious flesh and blood in bread and wine.
Poured out on the Cross, Nourishing my soul
Is my Lord and Saviour Christ who died, and makes me whole.
