How do you get ready for an important project or activity? Usually there is planning and research, followed by decisions and a timeline. A lot of time and effort go into preparing for a large scale or long term endeavor. Now I ask you, is there anything more large scale than salvation or long term than eternity? If we pay this much attention to our human business, why wouldn’t we work as hard for our spiritual business?
Perhaps we don’t plan for eternal life because we don’t understand it completely. Maybe we remember Jesus’ words “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by His own authority” (Acts 1:7). What we should remember is what He told us to do – love God and love one another. If we would only follow that commandment, many of our earthly difficulties would be resolved.
Part of our problem is that we want to follow our plan, when all that matters is God’s plan. We are so self-centered that we have a hard time realizing how much God loves us all, and how much He wants us to be part of that eternal plan. We don’t need to plan at all!
Loving Lord, thank You for making us part of Your plan, for including us in what You are doing in creation. Help us to pay more attention to the things You want for us than what we want for ourselves. Help us to be prepared for the coming of Your kingdom.