My children are busy with their periodic tests in school. No, let me rephrase it: We (me and my wife) are very busy, and sometimes tense because our children are having tests this November. As a parent, we wanted them to perform well – not only in a specific exam but throughout their life’s journey.
Yet they felt that they were very well prepared. And, we’re simply nagging them. If you’re a parent you’ll understand. The language paper, specifically, is the one we were always worried about. Other than that, our minds calculated their future based on their present dedication, seriousness, and hard work.
Yes, I know I try to take it slow. But it’s hard as we don’t want them to end up as a failure. We want them to learn all they can while time is on their side. Although we were not as successful as others, we have the chance to know the feeling of being a class topper – we’ve been there. Adding onto it was, our time as a teacher and tutors taught us to see our children in the eyes of their teacher although we do not let them know all the secrets now.
‘Did you prepare well?’
‘Yes, I’m very well prepared.’
‘Your confidence level is good. We hope you did well.’
‘You better wish us well!’
Their preparation for the school test is to secure good grades at a particular period and time. But we want them to learn that preparation is the key to doing well in everything. Negligence can bring us shame.
Preparation for Blessing:
Blessing sounds attractive, we all wanted any kind of blessing upon us. However, the way we pursue and the discontentment with what we have can lead us astray in our faithful walk with the Lord. As a believer in the living God, there are ways to receive his blessings.
One, kindness to the poor is a loan to the LORD, and He will repay the lender. Proverbs 19:17 In the monetary world, it sounds foolish. There is no point in lending kindness without any foreseen collateral. Why would a person lend money to the poor when there is no chance of getting the money back! However, it says kindness here.
It features in the way of the Lord. Be kind towards others irrespective of their manmade status in society or the religious realms. In Psalms 79:12 the writer states, Pay back into the laps of our neighbors sevenfold the reproach they hurled at You, O Lord. Be careful!
Preparation for Heaven:
Repent from your sin; confess it, and ask for forgiveness. Then the kingdom of heaven will be yours. From that time on Jesus began to preach: Repent, the kingdom of heaven is near. Matthew 4:17
It is his time now. We are living in his grace. His grace is upon us- waiting for us to repent, confess, and accept Jesus as our Lord and savior. For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have John 3:16
This preparation must be the utmost and most valuable preparation for a man when time is still on his side.
The great Preparation:
“If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” Matthew 19:21
The rich young man was shellshock by this reply from Jesus. In his way, the young man seems to have done enough for Jesus.
Then the disciples were astonished when Jesus confirm his statement by adding, “Truly I tell you, it is hard for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.”
However, here is the comfort of being by his side. He said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” V. 26
NOT a Befitting Preparation:
When we were young, we were often tempted to act as if we were studying. I don’t know if you’ve done that. But I did. Well, that’s not a befitting preparation for a test or any kind of exam. The evaluation results often speak for themselves.
Now, in our spiritual journey, we must not get carried away by signs, which is common nowadays. We are in the light – not worshipping nor believing anything just because we’re awestruck. We worship the creator but not what we’ve seen. Our eyes are deceiving. Just because it is supernatural we cant worship. Yes, we do get overwhelmed by it.
In John 6:27, right after Jesus walks on the water were his words:
“Very truly I tell you, you are looking for me, not because you saw the signs I performed but because you ate the loaves and had your fill. Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For on him God the Father has placed his seal of approval.”
How is your preparation?
Now, this is the question for us all. If we’re to answer in the matter of eternal life, I don’t know where we shall stand. We are writers and story makers on this earth, but it is the core of a believer’s heart that will count.
Our journey is preparation. It is a privilege. I know many times it hasn’t sounded like a privilege. Seeing a new sun is a massive privilege for many. The light of the world has come. Let us strive forward diligently in our quest for finishing well this journey. We will try hard to present our best selves when the time comes.
Many have lost that privilege of that journey now. There’s no more time for preparation. Time has overtaken them. I’m not different from them; not better. But it is by the abiding grace of God that I still have that privilege to get prepared for my eternal life. I’m thankful!
